Legislative Assembly 7031 22 February 1994

TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1994 Officials in Parliament Act— Administrative Arrangements Order 1994.

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) PAPER read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. The following paper was laid on the table— Minister for Lands (Mr Smith)— STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS Foreign Ownership of Land Register— Annual Report for 1992-93 In accordance with the schedule circulated by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the Ordered to be printed. following documents were tabled— Acts Interpretation Act— MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Administrative Arrangements Order 1994 Queensland Economic Review Building and Construction Industry (Portable Hon K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Treasurer) Long Service Leave) Act— (10.01 a.m.), by leave: Last week, in outlining to Building and Construction Industry the House the outcome of the mid-year Budget (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment review, I referred to indications of a Regulation (No. 1) 1994, No. 51 strengthening economy. I made particular Cemetery Act— mention of improving business investment in Cemetery (Gympie Cemetery) Amendment Queensland. Rule (No. 1) 1994, No. 49 I am pleased to report that confirmation of a City of Brisbane Market Act— stronger than forecast business investment City of Brisbane Market (Accommodation) performance is contained in the December Regulation 1994, No. 46 quarter edition of the Queensland Economic Clean Air Act— Review, copies of which will be circulated to all Clean Air Amendment Regulation (No. 1) honourable members today. Business 1994, No. 53 investment has been making a renewed positive Clean Air (Ozone Depleting Substances) contribution to the State's economic growth in Regulation 1994, No. 52 recent quarters. Latest Treasury estimates show Clean Waters Act— that business investment in the year to Clean Waters Amendment Regulation (No. September 1993 grew by 22 per cent, or twice 1) 1994, No. 54 the national rate of growth. The strong performer Constitution Act— was equipment investment, up an incredible 33.9 per cent. Administrative Arrangements Order 1994 Honourable members will recall that, during Co–operative and Other Societies Act— 1992-93, business investment in general, and CoÐoperative and Other Societies equipment investment in particular, was the Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1994, No. 45 weak link in an otherwise strong economic performance. The State's share of national Education (Capital Assistance) Act— business investment now stands at 16.4 per Education (Capital Assistance) Regulation cent, up from 14.9 per cent a year ago and the 1994, No. 48 State's highest share since December 1987. Proclamation—provisions of the Act that The State's share of total investment, technically are not in force commence 18 February referred to as private fixed capital expenditure, is 1994, No. 47 even higher at 19.3 per cent—up from 18.5 per Health Act— cent a year ago and the highest total share since Poisons Amendment Regulation (No. 1) June 1984, a decade ago—reflecting very 1994, No. 50 strong levels of investment in housing. The National Parks and Wildlife Act— contribution to overall investment from housing National Park 127 County of Canning is expected to ease back during 1994, but the (Extension and Exclusion) Order 1994, No. signs are that business investment will take up 58 much of the slack. National Park 573 Counties of Carlisle and As reported in the Queensland Economic Hillalong (Extension and Exclusion) Order Review, surveys of investor intentions indicate 1994, No. 57 that firms are upgrading their equipment National Park 1353 County of Nares investment plans. However, most anticipate that (Exclusion) Order 1994, No. 56 the increase will be gradual. Treasury also 22 February 1994 7032 Legislative Assembly expects non-residential investment in conducted a number of air quality monitoring Queensland to continue to exhibit solid growth. programs in the Gladstone region. It operates A good pointer to growth in this area is the non- those programs at four sites—in Friend Street, at residential construction approvals figures the airport, at Yarwun and at the South collated by the ABS. These show that approvals Gladstone Primary School—which record a in the December quarter of 1993 totalled variety of air quality data on an hourly basis. My $504m, which is 91 per cent higher than a year department produces a monthly report on those earlier. results, which is available to the public. According to the Queensland Economic The results of those tests, the earliest of Review, Queensland accounted for 24.5 per which began in 1979, show that the air quality in cent of the value of national approvals, with the Gladstone region has consistently been strong growth in hotels, shops, offices and within national guidelines. As well as our regular entertainment and recreation facilities. Important monitoring, the Department of Environment and public sector projects such as the Brisbane Heritage— International Airport have added strength to has conducted a 12-month coal dust study, Queensland's performance. which finished in June last year and which While clearly the State's recent investment showed that the impact of coal loading and performance is a particular highlight of the coal usage in Gladstone had a minimal Queensland Economic Review, I recommend impact in residential areas and which also that honourable members read the entire resulted in all relevant industries identifying document, which presents an independent improvements to minimise dust; warts-and-all picture of Queensland's economic has conducted an acid rain study during the conditions and prospects. period 1991 and 1993 which showed that acid rain was not a problem in Gladstone; PERSONAL EXPLANATION and Mr SLACK (Burnett) (10.06 a.m.), by conducted a measurement of chlorine at leave: On Friday, the Minister for Environment Yarwun from 1990 to 1991, in response to and Heritage tabled a letter from an officer of her community concerns over the department outlining his version of a telephone establishment of ICI and Minproc plants in conversation that I had with him. I dispute the the region, in which no detectable accuracy of the officer's statement, particularly in measurements of chlorine were recorded. relation to his claim that I indicated that I was, as In short, all the air quality monitoring data he says, "political pointscoring". My recollection collected and analysed by the Department of is that I understood the person at the other end Environment and Heritage over several years of the line to say, "This is political, isn't it?", and I has shown that air quality in Gladstone is healthy responded, "Yes, of course it is political", and well within national guidelines. meaning that the whole issue was political and had political ramifications. That is entirely different from "political pointscoring". 2. Dawson Highway, Gladstone I certainly do not recall the word Mr BENNETT asked the Minister for "pointscoring" being used. Even if it was, my Transport and Minister Assisting the premier on reply was not intended to convey that I was Economic and Trade Development— merely pointscoring, as the seriousness of the "What is the State Government doing matter went far beyond pointscoring. to improve access and safety for motorists along the Dawson Highway through Gladstone?" QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Mr HAMILL: As part of the Department of 1. Air Quality Monitoring, Transport's road strategy for the Gladstone area, Gladstone/Calliope progressive upgrading along the Dawson Mr BENNETT asked the Minister for Highway will occur over the next few years in Environment and Heritage— order to bring the highway up to four-lane "What are the results of air quality standard. Already, works to a value of $943,000 monitoring by her department in the were completed at the Briffney roundabout in Gladstone/Calliope region?" June 1991, and further upgrading—which included four laning between Blain Drive and Ms ROBSON: I thank the honourable Phillip Street at a cost of $808,000—was member for the question. The Department of completed in August 1993. Environment and Heritage conducts and has Legislative Assembly 7033 22 February 1994

I am pleased to inform the honourable This ensures that disruption to the school losing member that upgrading of the Chapman entitlement is minimised and the departmental Drive/Harvey Road/Dawson Highway officer holding the position is given an intersection—including the construction of a opportunity to consider where they wish to be transferred at level. roundabout—at an estimated cost of $700,000 should commence in August this year. This In addition, the Member should also be aware intersection has been recognised as a major that Deputy Principals only take up duty at the beginning of each school semester. Again, as problem for some time. Given the proximity of these positions are likely to be filled by a schools in the area, these works will make a classroom teacher being promoted it is not in the substantial contribution to enhancing road safety interests of students or the school to remove the for both motorists and pedestrians. promoted officer in the middle of the semester. The Queensland Government will spend In the case of Robina State School the $5.8m on the construction and upgrading of positions, created in September 1992, could not roads in the Gladstone area this financial year. I have been permanently filled until the beginning welcome the honourable member's continued of the 1993 school year at the very earliest. I commitment to the promotion of road safety in understand that two competent officers have been acting in these positions since their his electorate. creation. There were two attempts to permanently fill 3. School Principals and Deputy these positions through transfer at level, Principals however no suitable officers were identified for the positions on these occasions. Mr QUINN asked the Minister for Education— Immediately following the second unsuccessful attempt to transfer an officer to the school at "With reference to his claim that level, the Department advertised the positions principals and deputy principals are for appointment. These appointments will be appointed within 3-4 months and the filled through a merit selection process and not situation at Robina State School which was through the system used by the previous eligible for a permanent deputy principal two Government were appointments were open to cronyism. The best person for the job will be years ago and became eligible for a second appointed not someone's best mate. deputy principal last year, neither of which has yet been appointed— Why does it take up to two years to QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE appoint deputy principals in the State Anti-Discrimination Commission school system?" Handbook Mr COMBEN: I seek leave to table my Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a question to the answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. Attorney-General. Leave granted. Honourable members interjected. As is usually the case, the claim made by the Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too much Member that it has taken two years to fill the conversation in the Chamber. Members who Deputy Principals positions at Robina State wish to have a talk may go outside. School is wrong. Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to The creation of two Deputy Principal positions at Robina State School were approved on 9 and 11 the Attorney-General, I refer to the handbook September 1992. Tracking Your Rights being distributed throughout the State by his Anti-Discrimination As the Honourable Member should be aware there has been a long standing Departmental Commission. In cartoon form, the handbook practice and agreement with the Queensland depicts police as racist, foul-mouthed, bullying Teachers' Union, one that pre-dates this and bigoted. I ask: as the Anti-Discrimination Government's election, that when a school loses Commissioner is required to report to the entitlement to a Deputy Principals position the Attorney-General on a monthly basis, why did incumbent is not necessarily removed the Attorney-General allow the use of this immediately from that school. During 1992 and handbook in centres such as Charleville and 1993 some schools on the Gold Coast and Cunnamulla last week, just prior to the riot? surrounding areas lost entitlement to their deputy Principals positions but not all officers Mr WELLS: It is astounding that the were immediately transferred to schools gaining honourable the Leader of the Opposition has an entitlement as a result of this longstanding the temerity to ask a question of me after his Departmental practice and agreement with the performance last week in the House. Last week, Queensland Teachers Union. every member of this House saw the honourable the Leader of the Opposition come in and ask 22 February 1994 7034 Legislative Assembly me, the Attorney-General, a question about the Ms WARNER: It seems that the Leader of Juvenile Justice Act. He is the leader of a major the Opposition is to persist with asking Ministers political partly and he was completely wrong in questions that lie outside of their portfolio directing that question to me. In order to do that, responsibilities. My personal opinions on this he would have to be a mug. That is what this issue are not of concern to the House during House sees, a mug! question time. However, as Minister for Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will ask the Aboriginal Affairs, I am concerned that the Attorney-General to withdraw that term; it is Opposition seems to be indicating that unparliamentary. Aboriginal people should not have access to information about their rights. I find that Mr WELLS: I withdraw the remark. sentiment offensive. Honourable members will recall the absolutely extraordinary performance of the Leader of the Opposition last week. That was about the fourth Premier's Monto Visit time that the honourable the Leader of the Mr PITT: In directing a question to the Opposition has asked this sort of question—the Premier, I refer him to his visit to Monto on sort of question that does not relate to the Sunday, and ask: can he inform the House of the portfolio of the Minister. purpose of this visit and whether the residents of The Anti-Discrimination Commission is run Monto have been reassured that they will get a consistently with the—— new ambulance station? Mr Borbidge: It is required to report to Honourable members interjected. you monthly, quarterly and yearly. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I cannot even hear Mr WELLS: Yes—honourable members myself think. heard that point made in the question. The Anti- Mr Perrett interjected. Discrimination Commission is run in conjunction with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Commission—a Commonwealth body. That is a for Barambah under Standing Order 123A. very sensible and efficient procedure by virtue of Mr W. K. GOSS: I think the first point to the fact that it saves a considerable amount of be made is that I did not go to Monto to money and delivers considerable efficiencies apologise. that are not able to be achieved in other States. Mr Hobbs interjected. The material to which the honourable Mr W. K. GOSS: I did not take a member is referring is material that is produced photographer, but next time I will. I thank the on a national basis by an independent honourable member for the advice. I went to commission. Again, in directing this question to Monto to correct and to counter the National me, the Leader of the Opposition shows that he Party lie machine, which gave the impression in simply does not know his work. this place, and in press conferences subsequently, that the Government was taking Anti-Discrimination Commission the money from the people of Monto and that Handbook the people would not get their ambulance station. In the short time that I had in Monto, I Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to wanted to give a personal assurance that not the Minister for Family Services and Aboriginal only would all those funds be returned to Monto and Islander Affairs, I refer to the handbook this year, but that the Government would match Tracking Your Rights currently being circulated those funds with $200,000 of taxpayers' money throughout the State by the Anti-Discrimination to build a new ambulance station. Commission. The title of that issue is, "A Handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait The second part of the question is, "Were Islander Peoples in Queensland". I ask: does the people reassured?" I think that some people Minister approve of a handbook of this type that were, but some people were not. depicts Queensland police, teachers, prison Mr Hobbs interjected. officers and other members of the community in Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member cartoon form as racist, foul-mouthed and for Warrego under Standing Order 123A. bigoted? Mr W. K. GOSS: I can understand that Mr Lester interjected. some people were not reassured because they Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member are very suspicious of the people in Brisbane. for Keppel under Standing Order 123A. Those people have good reason to be suspicious of the people in Brisbane, because for 20 years they tried to get an ambulance Legislative Assembly 7035 22 February 1994 station out of the National Party and they could Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. I not. For 20 years, they could not get a new find the comments made by the Premier to be ambulance station out of the National Party, so objectionable and ask that they be withdrawn. for 20 years they raised money. They are untrue. If the Premier wants to distort Mr Cooper interjected. the truth, he will cop it. Mr Veivers interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. I cannot ask for a withdrawal on Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the members that basis. for Crows Nest and Southport under Standing Order 123A for interjecting. Mr BORBIDGE: Under Standing Orders 119 and 120, I find the remarks to be grossly Mr W. K. GOSS: For 20 years, the offensive and ask that they be withdrawn. National Party would not give Monto a police station, and Monto is in a National Party Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will electorate! resume his seat. I am not going to debate this matter with him. There is no point of order. Mr Borbidge interjected. Mr W. K. GOSS: I ask members: should Mr W. K. GOSS: An ambulance the Leader of the Opposition apologise for the station—Monto has a police station. Has the false claim that the poker machine tender was honourable member been to the ambulance corrupt? Should he apologise for the fact that, station? when he was in Government, Queensland had Mr Borbidge: Yes. the lowest paid teachers, nurses and police in Mr W. K. GOSS: Then why did you not Australia? Should he? do something about it? Government members: Yes! Mr Borbidge: I'm not a thief like you. Mr W. K. GOSS: That is right. But that Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is raises another question: will he apologise? No! unparliamentary. I ask the Leader of the When I go back to Monto within the year to turn Opposition to withdraw that interjection. the first sod for that ambulance station, I will apologise for the National Party, too. Mr Borbidge: Mr Speaker, with respect—— Mr SPEAKER: Order! There will be no Services to Regional Queensland debate on it. I ask the Leader of the Opposition Mr PITT: I ask the Premier: can he inform to withdraw unequivocally and resume his seat. the House of the Government's approach to Mr Borbidge: I withdraw that the Premier regional Queensland? What does the Premier is a thief. say to criticism of the Government's record in the delivery of services to regional Queensland? Mr W. K. GOSS: If the Leader of the Opposition had any decency and integrity, he Mr W. K. GOSS: This Government has a would have apologised as well. I find this National proud record in regional Queensland, and I shall Party criticism of my apologising interesting. refer to some of it. I will not refer to all of it, They must believe that it is somehow wrong or because that would take up all of question time, embarrassing to apologise. I do not mind. and I am still keen to see whether any other Opposition members have the guts to ask me a Mr Gilmore interjected. question. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Mr Johnson interjected. for Tablelands under Standing Order 123A. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Mr W. K. GOSS: It is true that on an for Gregory under Standing Order 123A. average of about once a year I have had the decency to say that we have done something Mr Elliott interjected. wrong. This Government has tried to do Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member something about those mistakes. This criticism for Cunningham under Standing Order 123A. raises the question: does the Leader of the Mr W. K. GOSS: Yesterday, I was Opposition have anything to apologise for? I ask interested to hear the knocking and moaning the House: should he apologise for National from the Leader of the Opposition, who said that Party corruption and what it did to this State? I was finished in the bush and that Labor was Should he apologise to the Chairman of the finished in the bush and in regional Queensland. Criminal Justice Commission for a smear that was I asked my staff to obtain the latest opinion poll, found to be baseless by his own members on because the Leader of the Opposition was the Privileges Committee? talking about low polls. The last poll was one of 22 February 1994 7036 Legislative Assembly our worst; it was one of the polls that were not so persistently interjecting. He has not stopped all good. When I had a look at the latest poll, I morning. I now ask him to leave the Chamber. asked, "How dead is the Labor Party in the Whereupon the honourable member for bush?" I found that in the rest of the State the Tablelands withdrew from the Chamber. Labor Party rates at 39—double the National Party's rating. If the Labor Party is in trouble, the Mr W. K. GOSS: I could go on all National Party is extinct. morning. I ask members to look at the police establishment in those regions. In the far north, In his moaning, whining, knocking way, the the north and central Queensland there are Leader of the Opposition said, "Goss has no increased police numbers and resources in credibility in the bush." I said to my staff, "What every region. It is a good record. This year, we do the bad polls say?" They said that when will get out there and counter the National Party's people in the bush in regional Queensland were lie machine and tell people how good the record asked who was their preferred Premier, the of the Labor Party is. result was 64 for Goss and 20 for you know who. If I am in trouble in regional Queensland—— Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. Mr Stephan interjected. Mr Perrett interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have already for Gympie under Standing Order 123A. warned the member for Barambah. I do not want this House to degenerate any further. I have just Mr W. K. GOSS: If I am in trouble in sent the member for Tablelands from the regional Queensland, I do not know what one Chamber. I do not want to have a holus-bolus would say about the Leader of the Opposition. I exodus from this Chamber. Members will respect understand why he would never say "sorry" to my warning. Obviously the member for people in those areas, because they would not Barambah has not. I give final warnings to those believe him. What is the record of the Labor members who have already been warned. I want Party in regional Queensland? to be able to hear what is said in this Chamber. Mr Borbidge interjected. What is the honourable member's point of order? Mr W. K. GOSS: If members want to see Mr BORBIDGE: My point of order is that, how central Queensland sees the Leader of the because you did not bring the Premier to order, I Opposition, they should have a look at the assume that the word "lie" can now be used in cartoon in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, this Chamber. It was used repeatedly against which I table for their interest. Opposition members on this side of the House. Mr Speaker, members can have a good laugh at their leader. you did not call the Premier to order. As to health—let me outline some of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy highlights. There are rural health training units in Leader of the Coalition. Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns and Mr Borbidge interjected. Townsville. That is something that the Nationals would never do. There is a North Queensland Mr SPEAKER: Order! I find that last Clinical School, which is something else that the statement to be a reflection on the Chair. The National Party would never do. That special Leader of the Opposition will withdraw that clinical school has a focus on rural and regional statement. medicine. There is a multimillion-dollar Statewide Mr BORBIDGE: I withdraw. program for breast and cervical cancer for rural women. That is something that the National Party would never do for rural women. The sum of Suncorp $25m has been allocated for health facilities Mrs SHELDON: I ask the Premier—— north of Cooktown. Mr W. K. Goss interjected. As to education in regional Queensland— Mrs SHELDON: I asked the Premier a there are additional teachers. It is a good record. question the other day, and the day before that, There is also a school support service. We are too. I refer to comments made by the State upgrading the School of Distance Education. President of the ALP, Ian McLean, on the 7.30 That is also something that the National Party Report and in the Courier-Mail in reference to the would not do. As to police— there are 25 new proposed sale of Suncorp, in which he said— police establishments worth over half a million dollars. "You'd hope the issue is resolved without getting into the position of rolling Mr Gilmore interjected. the Premier." Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member He added— for Tablelands under Standing Order 123A for Legislative Assembly 7037 22 February 1994

"You do alienate people if you do when will the Government live up to its promise things in a sort of off-handed way and to protect these people and introduce effective, assume the party is going to follow you. It stand-alone whistleblower legislation? I thank the doesn't work too well." Premier who has just answered the question for I ask: have the faceless backroom men of the the Minister again. ALP already made the decision not to sell Mr WELLS: I hoped that I would be able to Suncorp, or will the Premier assert his authority congratulate the honourable lady for continuing and proceed with the sale? her usual record of being able to stand up and Mr W. K. GOSS: With a party president ask questions of a Minister about that Minister's like the honourable member's, I would not talk portfolio and not make herself look like a about party presidents. Mr Everingham makes Mr mug—like certain other people in the House do. McLean look like a shrinking violet. What a joke! The honourable lady is asking—— There is no proposal to sell Suncorp. As I have Mr SPEAKER: "The honourable explained publicly and privately to my own party member". and to Mr McLean and the administrative Mr WELLS: The honourable member is committee on the organisational side of the asking a question that concerns another party, there is no plan and no decision to sell portfolio. Suncorp. However, a rational and responsible investigation of two or three issues is being Mrs Sheldon: The CJC is not your undertaken by me and the Treasurer at the portfolio? request of Cabinet. That investigation will Mr WELLS: May I explain to the examine issues such as the offer from the honourable member opposite? In respect of the Commonwealth in relation to a taxation CJC Act, the Minister responsible for that Act has compensation offer of a one-off basis, which has a responsibility for, from time to time, introducing been offered to all States. It will examine issues amendments to that Act and providing a budget such as the actuarial opinion in relation to risk, for the CJC. In respect of other matters—— particularly when a company has most of its Mrs Sheldon: You're not involved with insurance eggs in one market, or one basket, whistleblower legislation, then? It's your and the actuarial view that some people hold that portfolio. we should geographically spread that risk by acquiring another insurance company or similar Mr WELLS: In respect of other matters, institution interstate. We will do that. I think that the CJC reports to its parliamentary committee. the decision is finely balanced between From time to time, the parliamentary committee, corporatisation and privatisation, and we will which includes better informed members on the examine those issues and report back to our other side of the House than the honourable party and to the Parliament. member, makes recommendations to this House as to amendments to the Act, makes In terms of Mr McLean's comments— they recommendations as to procedural changes, were quite supportive at the administrative and examines the manner of the conduct of the committee when I discussed these matters and CJC itself. The idea behind that, and the idea answered questions a week ago. Mr McLean has which is embodied in the CJC Act and the a commitment to the stability and unity of our Fitzgerald reforms, was to give a voice to this party—unlike the party president of the member Parliament—to give both sides of the House the who asked the question. He has given me and capacity to play a role in the supervision of the the Government consistent support and a CJC. That is the reason why the Minister consistent commitment to stability and unity. He administering the CJC is specifically excluded by happens to hold, in good faith, some genuine the legislation from playing that monitoring role. opinions about these matters and I respect the That is the criterion that guarantees the genuine nature of his opinions. independence of the CJC. This is a fact that the honourable member opposite is apparently Whistleblower Legislation totally incapable of understanding. She does not stand up and make herself look like the sort of Mrs SHELDON: I ask the Minister for mug-—— Justice: in light of the comments by Queensland Police Inspector and former key Fitzgerald Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. inquiry witness, Col Dillon, on the Government's Under Standing Order 70 the answer has to be failure to protect whistleblowers, and a previous relevant. I asked about whistleblower legislation. complaint, which I raised last week, by Kerry Mr WELLS: She does not do that, but she Campbell, the key witness in the CJC inquiry into the abuse of clients at the Basil Stafford Centre, 22 February 1994 7038 Legislative Assembly does ask questions that reveal an ignorance of Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for the law and an ignorance of the statute about Transport: can he describe how the which she is asking. Rockhampton Railway Workshop will become a centre of excellence in central Queensland and what a jobs boost this will give the region? Will Move Easy Stock Movement Campaign the Government institute any other incentives to Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for boost the economic development of central Primary Industries: can he advise the House on Queensland? the latest initiatives of the Goss Government Mr HAMILL: Yesterday, State Cabinet regarding the removal of more red tape that will approved a number of measures that will have be of great benefit to the livestock industry in significant benefits for the central Queensland Queensland? region—not only for Rockhampton but also for Mr CASEY: Yesterday, in Rockhampton, the surrounding rural areas. They can be on behalf of the Government, I launched the categorised into two areas—measures that will new Move Easy campaign for stock movements assist the mining industry, which, as all members throughout Queensland. It is one of the greatest would know, is one of our major export industries innovations that has ever been put in place as far and much of its activity is focused on central as Queensland's primary producers are Queensland, and those that will assist the concerned. It again shows the drive that this grazing industry and the grain industry. Government has made to improve things for the Yesterday, State Cabinet approved some $9m rural people of Queensland. We are now worth of additional roadworks on the highway achieving and receiving recognition from them network in central Queensland, particularly the for bringing about some innovations that were Capricorn and Leichhardt Highways. Not only never attempted, or even thought of by does that improve access to markets and reduce members opposite. the costs of transport for local producers, but it Mr Perrett: Because there was disease also generates jobs. About 30 jobs have been control in place, that's why. generated in the Emerald area and a further 30 jobs in the Theodore area. Mr CASEY: Disease control is still there. Members opposite are now saying that the In stark contrast to the way in which the campaign will increase stock stealing. I will tell National Party operated when it was in honourable members opposite exactly what the Government in respect of its dealings with local campaign will mean. It will mean that for 90 per authority roads, where we saw a substantial part cent of stock movements throughout of the State's road network de-mained by the Queensland, that is for cattle, sheep, and previous National Party Government without racehorses—and Mr Gibbs has worked very hard local councils being provided with adequate in relation to this, too—a waybill for the funds to maintain those roads, yesterday State transportation of stock to the various markets can Cabinet agreed to a request from the Banana be filled out in the comfort of a rural producer's Shire Council that will see some 65 kilometres of own home. The cost is less than the cost of a local roads in the Banana Shire de-mained. In phone call. They will have a waybill book to fill return, $3.5m has been allocated to undertake out. It will completely cut out the red tape that that work. At a function on Sunday night, I saw has existed for donkey's years. It is still the best the smile on the shire chairman's face. Mr method of disease control. It is a little bit firmer Maynard was smiling broadly because the State than the previous requirements. It is simple, Government has been able to provide him with efficient and cost effective, which is the most the funds to deliver that important program into important thing as far as primary producers are his area. concerned. It has been welcomed by all the While those measures are assisting pastoral relevant groups in this State. It means a saving and primary industry in the area, the $21m that for everybody. It means a saving for the this Government is investing into the producers, the meatworks, the agents and all the Rockhampton Railway Workshops will be a other people who are involved. As a tremendous boon—a tremendous commitment Government, we have systematically gone not only to rail in the region but also to the future through these problems and worked out new of the mining industry. This Government will methods that meet the needs and requirements substantially rebuild the Rockhampton of the rural producers of this State. They have workshops to enable the 6 000 wagons that are been well accepted. hauling 1 million tonnes of coal a week to be properly overhauled. Those workshops will overhaul the mainline electric locomotives that Rockhampton Railway Workshop are so vital to the welfare of our mining industry. Legislative Assembly 7039 22 February 1994

Significantly for the Rockhampton district, that again. This morning, I saw the headline on the $21m investment in those workshops will front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin, which generate some 450 jobs in the private sector in stated, "Give back $1.5m Goss told". As I central Queensland. Those are real jobs. They understand it, that headline came from the will provide a real boost to the economic growth Opposition Leader, Mr Borbidge, and Mr of the region. This Government is committed to Littleproud. economic growth in central Queensland. It is vital Let me tell the people the facts about the for Queensland's export industries, and it is vital great gains that have been made for ambulance for Queensland as a whole. This Government is centres, including Southport, under this delivering the goods in central Queensland. Government compared with the gains made Queensland Fire Service when Opposition members were in Government. Mr LITTLEPROUD: I refer the Deputy Their record is appalling. Since looking into the Premier, Minister for Emergency Services and ambulance issue, I have discovered that the Minister for Rural Communities and Consumer appalling neglect of the Monto station over the Affairs to the operational procedures of the last 20 years is the tip of the iceberg. Queensland Fire Service covering practices at I will refer to the station at Southport and fires, and I ask: are all firemen instructed to carry give the member a detailed answer to his hand-held two-way radios while fighting fires? question. That station comprises one-third of the Are there enough radios for this purpose? Is the staff and one-third of the ambulances that are Deputy Premier aware of claims by firemen that stationed in the Gold Coast district. This year, these radios do not operate satisfactorily in an this Government allocated $5.2m to the Gold environment charged with smoke and water? Coast district. That means that $1.7m has been Mr BURNS: I am disappointed that the allocated to the Southport station, which is member asked such a question. He knows full $200,000 more than the amount to which the well that the issue of hand-held radios and the member refers. This Government has done that death of two firemen on the Gold Coast have every year for three years, and it will keep doing been the subject of industrial action, which was so. In other words, ambulance stations are doing resolved this morning. I believe that the cause of better than receiving dollar-for-dollar funding, death of those two men, which was a loss to their and they are getting it every year. families and a loss to the Fire Service, should be Is the member suggesting that the resolved by a coroner's inquiry and an inquiry Government should reduce Southport's conducted by the Fire Service. If there is a need allocation by $200,000? I tell the member that it for a further inquiry, I will do that. Many people will not. However, the funding in that area is the have become very emotional and upset about tip of the iceberg. Is this so-called country this matter. By raising these issues at this stage, member suggesting that the funds raised by the member is inflaming the situation, and I do ambulances should stay in the areas in which not intend to discuss it further. they were raised and that smaller centres, which cannot raise the same amounts of money, should miss out? This Government is not going Queensland Ambulance Service to do that. It has adopted a policy that delivers to Mr LITTLEPROUD: I refer the Premier to smaller centres. the legal robbery perpetrated by his Labor Mr LITTLEPROUD: The Premier asked Government on the Monto ambulance's me a question—— community funds late last week and to his hasty damage control over the weekend, which Mr SPEAKER: The member will have to resulted in unprecedented panic that Monto wait until another election. ambulance would receive its funding back in the Mr W. K. GOSS: It is called a rhetorical forthcoming Budget, together with additional question. I know that the member is allergic to funds to build a new centre. In view of the fact dictionaries, but he should give one a go. I will that $21m of similar funds was seized by his give the member another example. I refer to the Government from 96 ambulance centres, which electorate of Noosa, which is held by a had raised the moneys for local projects, I ask: conservative member. This Government is going will he now give the same undertaking to each to build a new ambulance station at Noosa worth ambulance centre throughout the State that $850,000, yet at the time of the conversion of they will receive back funds plundered by his that area's funds to the Queensland Ambulance Government plus a matching grant to undertake Service, all that area had in its fund was $1,165. projects for which the funds were raised? On the basis of Mr Littleproud's policy, this Mr W. K. GOSS: I suspect that my staff Government would be building the people of have been writing the Opposition's questions Noosa a garden shed. What a joke! 22 February 1994 7040 Legislative Assembly

In Nanango, which is situated in Mr Perrett's Queensland companies should have access to electorate, this Government is building a station that technology and should be involved in that worth over half a million dollars. At the time of technology transfer to assist in the sophistication conversion to the Queensland Ambulance of the manufacturing sector and the broadening Service, the fund in that electorate had only a of the economy generally. That is what is quarter of a million dollars in trust. In occurring with the implementation of the QMI. Maleny—another conservative electorate—the Through private sector leverage involved Government is building a station worth with QMI, we now have stereolithography units $650,000, and that area had about $75,000 in that can design complicated plastic models from its account. keyboards, which can break down the The Government's record is good. In the production time of new products by over 70 per broader spectrum, since Labor came to cent. Water-jet cutters—the most sophisticated Government, it has increased the ambulance in the world—can help advance Queensland's budget by 48 per cent. It has increased manufacturing sector, particularly the food operational staff by 89, mainly in regional processing sector, and there are also new Queensland. It has increased the salaries for technologies in laser cutters. ambulance officers by 7 per cent. It has So we have a research institute, enhanced career opportunities and, at last, has universities, the private sector and the offered decent training. The member should not Government involved in enhancing economic ask me; he should ask Dennis Gill at the Monto opportunities in the State. The latest figures Ambulance Station about the better training and released indicate that manufacturing export the better service that is offered under a Labor growth in this State has increased by 13 per cent Party Government for National Party voters. The over the last 12 months. Employment in the member should ask him about the more than 90 manufacturing sector is at a record high— per cent of ambulance officers who are involved 175 000. This Government has been putting in in an associate diploma course to receive better place the blocks that are needed to create a training in order to give a better service to sophisticated economy that, at the end of the regional Queensland. day, enables us to be internationally competitive The member talks about having the and to provide jobs for Queenslanders. This interests of the people in the bush at heart. He institute is an integral part of that process. The should talk to them about heart-starters. When partners in that institute—the CSIRO, the Labor came into Government, there were 64 University of Technology, the Department of defibrillators—Packer whackers—in ambulance Employment, Education and Training, my stations. There are now nearly 400. Who cares department and the private sector—should be about the heart of the bush? This Government applauded for their work. delivered; the Opposition just talked about it. I The area to the south of Brisbane is a fast- thank the member for the question. growing area, and it was desirable to locate the institute in that corridor between the Gold Coast Queensland Manufacturing Institute and Brisbane. That area will end up being the centre of advanced technologies in one form or Ms POWER: I ask the Minister for another. Business, Industry and Regional Development: can he advise how the Queensland Mr Veivers: Tell the Minister for Transport Manufacturing Institute at Eight Mile Plains can that, will you? improve the performance of Queensland Mr ELDER: The member for Southport manufacturing? should be interested in this. When he was in Mr ELDER: It was pleasing to see the Government, he did not bother about doing member for Mansfield, the member for Redlands anything other than growing things, digging and the member for Mount Gravatt at the them up and shipping them overseas. He did not opening of the Queensland Manufacturing understand that, to be competitive in this world, Institute. Unfortunately, compared with other we needed an economy that was far more OECD countries and other developed countries, broader and sophisticated. If he wants to ask me Australia does not fare well in terms of a question, he should do so. I have been asked transferring advanced technologies into the only one question about the economy in the manufacturing sector. The QMI is aimed at whole 12 months that I have been here. If creating better links between research members opposite want some more information, institutions and industry. they should ask some questions. I will answer them, and I will demonstrate quite clearly that the It is no good having the best technology in growth in the economy has been the result of the world if no-one is going to use it. In my view, support by the Government of the private sector. Legislative Assembly 7041 22 February 1994

Growth has also resulted from the activities of Mr HAMILL: I had a feeling of deja vu. those, such as the QMI, which has enhanced our Interestingly enough, back in August 1990, a manufacturing sector. We have a better similar story was published in the same worthy understanding of business needs. That is what journal. Maybe not much is happening on the irks the members opposite the most—we have a Sunshine Coast these days, or maybe they better understanding of business needs than found a three and a half year old press release. they do. I commend the work of the QMI and also Nevertheless, the allegation was made similarly the member for Mansfield. by a gentleman who was a councillor at that time on the Maroochy Shire Council, Councillor Ken Hicks, who has gained some notoriety for being Sunshine Motorway the financial wizard behind the group known as Ms POWER: I ask the Minister for Tollbusters. Mr Hicks does have some Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on experience with the Sunshine Motorway. Maybe Economic and Trade Development: can he he has some financial experience. I know that he comment on recent allegations made in the was employed as a surveyor by the former Sunshine Coast Daily by Maroochy shire Government to survey for the Sunshine Councillor Arn Barnes that the Government is Motorway. behind almost $3m on repayments for land Mr Burns: He protested about it. acquired for the Sunshine Motorway. Mr HAMILL: Maybe he was not paid Mr FITZGERALD: I rise to a point of enough. The allegation has been repeated that, order. I understand that the question was framed somehow or other, the poor old Maroochy asking the Minister for a comment. That is council got a bad deal—it did not get the $4.5m. completely out of order. Members cannot ask for Honourable members should ask: what was this a comment. bad deal? Whose bad deal was it? The $4.5m in Mr HAMILL: The honourable member's funding was not a commitment of mine but came question focused on a newspaper article in the in a letter of November 1989 from a gentleman Sunshine Coast Daily. by the name of Gilbert Alison who, if my memory Mr FITZGERALD: I rise to a point of serves me correctly, was a National Party Minister order. The member did ask for a comment, as I for Main Roads and Racing. Mr Alison wrote to am reliably informed. The Standing Orders the Maroochy Shire setting out an agreement for clearly state that members cannot ask for a roadworks to take place in Maroochy Shire as a comment. part of the sweetheart deal with the National Party Government entered into with the Mr SPEAKER: Order! Where? Maroochy Shire Council for the construction of Mr HAMILL: The honourable member the Sunshine Motorway. referred to an article in the Sunshine Coast Daily We honour these ongoing commitments in which that newspaper thundered with and, contrary to the false assertions of some righteous rage that the Sunshine Coast was would-be politicians on the Sunshine Coast, I am allegedly owed millions of dollars by the pleased to inform the House that $4.5m was Sunshine Motorway. It concerned me to see this expended by this Government in honouring the article. I know that the Sunshine Coast Daily National Party commitment to the Maroochy considers itself to be a journal which is up to date Shire Council. Most of that money, for the with the news, but I could not help having a information of the honourable member for nagging feeling of deja vu when I saw the article. Maroochydore, who is so voluble on this issue, Then I remembered a similar article in the was spent in her electorate. Over $2m was spent Sunshine Coast Daily—— on Maroochydore Road; $400,000 was outlayed Mr FITZGERALD: I rise to a point of on a pedestrian overbridge over the same road; order. Under Standing Order 67A, the half a million dollars was spent on Buderim explanatory notes to which I refer, and under the Mountain Road; and the resumptions in the area heading "Questions to Members" on page 338 cost over $1.5m. All of this money was of Erskine May, it is quite clear that questions expended. The last of it was expended no less which seek an expression of opinion or which than two years ago. This Government honours contain arguments, expressions of opinion—— its commitments, even if the deal was done Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am aware of that. between the council and the former National But I did not hear the word "comment" in the Party Government. question, because members did not allow me to hear it. Members are not to ask for opinions or for Rising Crime Rate comments. I did not hear the word "comment", and that is why I did not rule on it. 22 February 1994 7042 Legislative Assembly

Mr BEANLAND: I ask the Premier: in view member is saying that the Premier's statement of the fact that some 300 angry, concerned was false. residents attended the crime protest rally last Mr W. K. GOSS: All right, I withdraw. But Friday night in his own electorate, does he stand if the Standing Orders state that we have to by his claim last week that crime is just a media withdraw every false statement made in this and Opposition beat-up? place, members opposite will not be able to say Mr W. K. GOSS: As I have said anything. Let the record simply show that the repeatedly, there is a problem in relation to law member for Indooroopilly said that the local and order and crime not just in this State but right shopkeepers are telling lies when they say that around the country. Many Queensland citizens he invited himself. and many people in Logan City have a genuine Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I concern in relation to the rise of crime in our never said a word about the local shopkeepers. community. The question is, as I have said The Premier called them liars, not I. I never said before: what can we do about it in a practical and that. That is where the untruth is coming from. I constructive way? We have heard the knocking, find it personally offensive, and I ask for it to be moaning and false claims of the Opposition. We withdrawn. He cannot cop it. have seen a number of rallies and meetings where genuine, concerned citizens have come Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Premier to along. They have also been attended by some withdraw. stirrers—some Liberal Party operatives—such as Mr W. K. GOSS: I withdraw on behalf of the member for Indooroopilly. myself and the local shopkeepers. The member Mr Borbidge: Why weren't you there? for Indooroopilly—— Why didn't you go? Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. Mr W. K. GOSS: I had short notice and a He was referring to the local shopkeepers, not to prior commitment. The Liberal member for himself. Again, I find that personally offensive, Indooroopilly, who helped organise the function, and I ask for it to be withdrawn. and the Liberal candidate—— Mr W. K. GOSS: I withdraw on behalf of Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I myself, but not the local shopkeepers. find that-— Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Premier to Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before the withdraw unequivocally, without comment. honourable member makes that point of order, I Mr W. K. GOSS: I want to settle this. I warn the member for Indooroopilly that I will not withdraw everything I ever said. allow him to make this a debating point. What is Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for the member's point of order? questions has expired. Mr BEANLAND: The statement that—— Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST order. Youth Crime, Ayr Mr Beanland: The statement is untrue. Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (11 a.m.): The Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will hear the events of the past week or so as revealed in this honourable member. Chamber and the media have brought to a head Mr BEANLAND: The statement that the the most unbelievable circumstances facing the Premier just made in speaking about myself was town of Ayr in my electorate. Even more untrue. That is the point. unbelievable has been the attitude of the Goss Mr W. K. GOSS: There are two points of Government in relation to this and other view in relation to this. Local shopkeepers tell me community problems. The consistent lack of that he invited himself and that he got himself to action, refusal to accept facts, ministerial the top of the list of speakers. incompetence, departmental dereliction of duty and downright stupidity must brand the Goss Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. Government as one of the most uncaring to have That is quite untrue. I find that offensive and I ask ever held power. I intend to detail evidence of that it be withdrawn. that incompetence and those untruths in a Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Premier to further desperate attempt to obtain some justice withdraw. for the people whom I represent. In particular, I Mr W. K. GOSS: What is offensive? draw the attention of the House to the studied ignorance of Premier, the Minister for Police and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable the Minister for Family Services. Legislative Assembly 7043 22 February 1994

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): was that the two officers appointed to carry out Order! Honourable members leaving the that role had to travel from Townsville for each Chamber will do so expeditiously. shift—a distance of almost 100 kilometres each Mr STONEMAN: In any other system of way—and made fewer than 10 visits to the town. Government, those people would have long This House will recall the Minister, in answer been sent to pasture at the least and, were it to a question that I posed in this Chamber, possible for the people of Burdekin and many extolling the great benefits of those officers, other areas of the State to pass legal judgment their continuing presence in the town and his on them, they would be incarcerated for detailed interest in matters relating to Ayr four incompetent use of public moneys. They are months after the last visit to the town had been each and severally a disgrace to the community made by the officers. It appears that the Minister that they supposedly serve. is arrogantly of the belief that the public will buy On 11 May 1993, I wrote to the Minister for whatever untruth he deals up without question. Police, Mr Paul Braddy, detailing my concerns This sad excuse for a Police Minister is at last about law and order in Ayr and citing several being exposed for what he is—a fraud! At the examples of the outrageous behaviour end of my speech, I will table a number of letters confronting that community. My letter relating to this matter. However, for the benefit of commenced by stating— the House and the people of Queensland, I now table my letter to the Minister for Police. "I refer to the continuing telephone contact I have had with your office over On Thursday, 13 May 1993, I wrote to the recent months and in particular with Premier, the Honourable Wayne Goss, seeking Inspector Mick Rockett who has assured me an appointment with him and enclosing a copy of that he has briefed you on each occasion the letter to Mr Braddy. In part, that letter on the content of our conversations, all of stated— which have been focused on the problem "The contents of that communication of juvenile crime and more particularly should not require further comment here, anti-social behaviour in the township of other than to say that the situation is the Ayr." most serious I have ever had to confront Further on, my letter stated— since becoming a Member of Parliament." "It is vital that I place on record the The Premier's office did respond—in fact, in depth of community concern and record time, in a letter dated two days before the substantiate that concern with details of one that I sent! However, no meeting was various incidents." agreed to, and nothing further has been heard. I table both of those letters. My letter stated further— After a most disappointing telephone "It is my considered opinion that the conversation, I wrote also to the divisional head system is now compounding the of the Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Division of aggression of those on the fringe of the law, the Family Services Department, Mr Les Malezer. and the losers are the hardworking and In part, that letter noted— honest people (of all origins) who make up the vast majority of communities such as "My conversation with you left me with that which I represent. the clear impression that the problems being faced by the residents of Ayr, and the There can be no doubt that the lack of inter-racial tensions that are clearly positive activity and guidance by those emerging to the detriment of the whole Departments seen by the community as community, were not seen by you to have having a responsibility for the maintenance any relevance to the Division. of community standards are in fact breeding racial tension and intolerance. If the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs does not have responsibility These, Minister, are the concerns of for the welfare and well-being of Aboriginal the community I represent, a community I and Islander people, why does it exist?" am sure as I noted earlier that is little different from many others." Further on, the letter stated— Finally, after many phone calls with "The situation . . . is one that is in Inspector Rockett and agreement on a possible danger of sweeping many innocent line of attack, I met with the Minister, who during Aboriginal and Islander people into a sea of that brief meeting agreed to look at part of my discontent, violence and racial tension. I request—the introduction of a police liaison regret that, from our conversation, there appears no supportive mechanism for them presence for the town. The unfortunate result or for the other people who are the victims 22 February 1994 7044 Legislative Assembly

of a group who set themselves above the "Community Connections". In that column, the law and beneath contempt." writer notes with dismay the comments by an I have never received a response to that letter elected representative—and I know that he does from Mr Malezer. Again for the benefit of the not shrink from them, so I can inform the House House, I table that letter. that the writer refers to the member for Thuringowa—on ABC radio, who spoke of On 13 May 1993, I wrote also to the Minister parents complaining that social workers were for Family Services, Mrs Warner. In part, that taking the side of young people against their letter stated— parents. The writer of that column, who is a social "Minister, I am receiving consistent worker, said that in most instances it was not the representations from leaders of the black social worker who has taken the side of the community who are fearful that the enviable parent; it is "legislation upheld by the relationship between people of all origins Queensland Government that is overriding that has existed to date is in danger of parents. It is the law that is making it impossible taking a serious turn to the detriment of the for parents to bring up their children in the Aboriginal and Islander community. The socially acceptable manner that most parents overwhelming majority of these people are choose". This is the new order that is nurtured equally affronted by the behaviour of a few and supported by the Minister for Family of their race. Services in Queensland. Community leaders across the full That article, which appeared in the Ayr spectrum have been seeking means by Advocate and which I will table, stated further— which the situation could be defused and contact with your officers, the police and "And what happens when we as a other agencies have been ongoing. The community struggle to point out how the sad fact is that the situation has only system isn't working? We get howled down become worse and the departmental as being politically motivated . . . they (the approach seems to be more one of passing Ministers) are not listening." the buck than attempting to address the That social worker has no political connection problem positively." with me, and no connection with that community. On 23 August 1993, I received a reply from the That social worker is a person whom I think we Minister. That was over three months after the would all be proud to know. What a tragic date of my letter, during which time literally reflection of a democratic process that is being hundreds of offences would have been used for social engineering by an inept and sorry committed in the town. Who knows what real Government. suffering was involved in the commission of The letter to the Premier from the black those offences? The Minister opened by community in Ayr must surely be the most referring to my correspondence on anti-social poignant and heart-rending encapsulation of behaviour and closed by stating— community concern published in recent times. "I have noted that my Department will We will almost certainly see a massive public be monitoring and reporting upon the relations exercise in damage control by the situation in the immediate future." Premier. Who knows—he might even visit Ayr, à However, in her letter the Minister made no la Monto. However, the people will know statement that acknowledged my concern or the whether he and his Government are genuine suffering of my constituents. That is the same only when the runs are on the board. So far, the Minister who, on ABC radio last Friday afternoon, Goss Government's score is nine wickets down said that she had "become aware of the problem for very few runs. For the benefit of the House, I in Ayr in October", after having noted the table the various letters and statements to which I have referred. problems in Ayr during the past year in her reply to the Estimates of her department in October. The clear fact is that the Minster has no Youth Crime, Waterford/Logan compassion for the wider community, and that Electorates shows vividly in reports made by her officers. I table my letter and the Minister's reply, together Mr BARTON (Waterford) (11.10 a.m.): On with a pre-sentencing report to the Ayr Friday night, in Marsden, a public meeting was magistrate on just one youth's activities, as seen held. The meeting was held right on the border through the eyes of one-sided Family Services of the Premier's electorate of Logan and my officers. electorate of Waterford. The subject of the As a further example, I table a newspaper meeting was youth crime, in particular the actions column from one of my local newspapers titled of one gang of 12 or 13 members. That figure was provided by the Logan police. This gang has Legislative Assembly 7045 22 February 1994 vandalised shops in Marsden and disrupted the from the actual site of the problem. Mr Beanland lives of many constituents in my electorate in was invited to speak to the meeting. He was well Waterford West and constituents in the up the speaking list. The other person invited Premier's electorate in Marsden. was a well-known Liberal redneck by the name of I wish to question whether holding the Todd, the Liberal candidate for the Brisbane City meeting was an appropriate response to this Council ward of Richlands. Mrs Hoens also subject. I also question the motives of some of keeps in contact with him. He, too, was a long the people associated with that meeting. The way from home. One would wonder what events Logan police were already effectively addressing that occur in the electorates of Waterford and the problem. The shopkeepers, who are the Logan have to do with Mr Todd. people who had worn most of the impact of the The list and order of speakers at the vandalism in recent weeks, did not want the meeting also paints a very interesting picture. meeting to proceed. The order of the list was Mrs Hoens, who insisted on chairing the meeting; Superintendent Ken The meeting did not assist in resolving this Morris from Logan police—and it was certainly difficult problem. What it did do was provoke and appropriate that he be well up in the order—but divide those present, resulting in anger and next was one Denver Beanland, the member for resentment. It put a spotlight on the young Indooroopilly. Mr Beanland was closely followed people involved, because they attended the by this fellow Todd, the Liberal candidate for meeting and tried to have their say from their Richlands. He was followed by the ALP Logan perspective. They simply loved the idea that City councillors Janet Jackson and Bob Speed. I they would appear on Channel 7 and Channel 9 then followed in the list, a local member in the the following night. It provided a platform for immediate region. I was only on the list because I invited Liberal Party luminaries, or should I say insisted on my right to speak at that meeting. "glow-worms", to put forward their extremist The meeting was a set-up. The organisers of the views. meeting paid very scant regard to the The meeting failed to provide a genuine community's genuinely elected representatives. forum for the very many concerned citizens who We were pushed to the bottom of the speakers' attended to express their views. It did not allow list. We found it impossible to be heard, as the for explanation, consultation and discussion on misinformation given at the beginning of the potential, real solutions. It did not allow for full meeting by Lynette Hoens and the provocation consideration of the strong positive action that offered by Denver Beanland and this gentleman had already been taken by the Logan police, Todd had already caused the meeting to be action which continues. The meeting did not angry and argumentative within. allow for an informed discussion on the new The convenor misrepresented the position Juvenile Justice Act or the fact that police of the member of the Premier's staff who numbers in the Logan region have increased attended. I consider that to be very serious. It significantly. was made very clear to Mrs Hoens before the The convenor of this meeting was one Mrs meeting began that, as the Premier was not able Lynette Hoens. It may well be the case that Mrs to attend due to prior commitments, his staff Hoens may have a genuine desire to seek a member was present to ensure that the views of solution to the community's problem, but she the meeting were taken back to the Premier. may also have become an inadvertent captive of That explanation, when presented to the an opportunist Liberal Party which seized the meeting, became, "The Premier will not attend opportunity that her genuine concerns offered. and his representative refuses to speak to you; She is a constituent of my electorate of the police will put their position." Waterford, yet she made absolutely no contact at Mrs Hoens claims to be representing the all with me, her local member of Parliament, interests of the business people of Marsden, but about what she considers to be a very significant she proceeded with the meeting despite their problem in the electorate. The only contact that strong requests not to do so. Those Marsden occurred between Mrs Hoens and me was when, business people did not want the adverse following media reports that the meeting was publicity which could potentially downgrade their being called, I rang her to inquire about the businesses, cause a loss of trade and lower their meeting and to see if I might assist in some property values. They met with the police, positive way. members of the Premier's staff and meeting Despite this, it is very clear that she convenor, Lynette Hoens, the night before the maintains contact with the shadow Minister for meeting was called. This is the so-called secret Justice and member for Indooroopilly, a member meeting—a meeting so secret that all of the of Parliament who lives some 40 kilometres away shopkeepers were invited, and which was 22 February 1994 7046 Legislative Assembly attended by Mrs Hoens and a number of other captives for the night of two cynical Liberal known concerned citizens. politicians who were pushing their own narrow The shopkeepers believed that the police barrow and law and order agenda. Their interests response was adequate and they agreed to certainly were not the interests of the citizens monitor the position and meet again in three and business people of Marsden and Waterford weeks' time. They requested that Mrs Hoens not West. proceed with the meeting. The police also The locals were not given a chance to questioned whether the meeting should understand the strong action already being proceed due to their concern that the meeting undertaken by local police. They were not given may get out of hand. an opportunity to consider the contents of and Mrs Hoens claims that she was intimidated preliminary good results being achieved as a not to proceed with the meeting. That is certainly result of the new Juvenile Justice Act. not the case. She did burst into tears when In closing, the citizens of Waterford West advised that the Juvenile Justice Act would not and Marsden can be assured, contrary to the be repealed as it was only four to five months old point of view that was put most dishonestly by and needed a fair test but, importantly, she was some people at the meeting on Friday night, that not intimidated. She proceeded to hold the the youth crime problems that they have been meeting despite the concerns of police and subjected to are receiving the appropriate against the wishes of those people whose attention from police in the region. That was interests she claims to be acting for. happening before the meeting was called. The police numbers in Logan have increased, and I would like to turn to the member for they will continue to increase. The members of Indooroopilly, because he set the scene for those communities can also be assured that their ensuring that the meeting became angry and local members—the Premier, the member for divisive. He offered no potential solutions to the Logan, and I—will continue to consult with them problem. He concentrated on the problems and and take strong, firm action on their behalf, on deliberately whipping up people's fears. I was unlike the Liberal Party's cynical stunt that can be surprised by his expressed strong support for best described as an one-night stand. the police on the night. This is in absolute contrast with the vehement attacks he made on Law and Order; Property Insurance police in this Parliament only last week. He has Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (11.20 a.m.): I rise praise for the police in public in their presence, to speak on the matter of law and order and its yet he attacks them in this Chamber in their cost to the community. Before I do, I want to absence. That is hypocrisy at its absolute best. reinforce the position that certain members of However, his rhetoric was mild compared with the judiciary are stating, that is, that the that of his redneck colleague from Richlands, responsibility for law and order is with the Todd. What Denver missed, Todd got. Government of the day. The buck stops with the Government. The Government is trying to blame All of the following issues were canvassed everyone but itself. It blames the media, which it by this person Todd in a manner to whip up says is somehow beating up the issue. It blames anger, rather than promote calm, rational the Opposition for quoting Government figures. discussion: we heard about truth in sentencing; Now, it is trying to blame the judiciary, that is, the minimum mandatory sentences; increased judges and the magistrates—it is all their fault! penalties; curfews; penalties on parents of The Government has even tried to say that it is a juvenile offenders; compulsory detention of worldwide problem. Yet at the same time, we see juvenile offenders; lack of police powers; the abrogation of the responsibility for running criticism of judges; and criticism of the CJC's every other part of the criminal justice system. actions against corrupt police. Of course, Todd said that this was all the fault of the Goss In our prisons we have escapes, riots, Government and, in particular, the Premier. After murders and suicides. And what does the both Mr Beanland and Mr Todd had finished their Government do? It closes down a prison! We efforts for the night, there was little chance of have a revolving-door prison system in which achieving calm, reasoned discussion. prisoners are out in a quarter or less of their sentences as a direct result of this Government's The public of Waterford West and Marsden, remission system that it promised to abolish. This in particular, certainly did not get a fair go. Most of Government has a stated policy that them left angry and frustrated that their genuine imprisonment should be the last resort. We have local concerns did not receive adequate legislation which requires that our judges and attention or discussion. Even if Mrs Hoens' magistrates implement that policy. The courts' actions were a genuine effort to allow the local administration of warrants is in total disarray. community to come together to discuss their Millions of dollars are being lost as a direct result concerns, regrettably it failed. The locals became of this Government stuffing up its own legislation Legislative Assembly 7047 22 February 1994 for its own soft-on-crime policies. The question measures as encasing themselves behind doors is: as a result, how many felons are out roaming and windows that are fitted with bars and grilles. the streets, murdering, robbing, breaking into The community pays for that. The community homes and stealing? also pays for more social workers for victims. We In summary, Queensland has a criminal pay for stress-related illnesses brought on by justice system that is collapsing under this crime and the fear of crime. Government. Out in the community we are The Government has a stated policy that starting to see the ramifications. We are seeing only violent criminals should be behind bars. people taking the law into their own hands. We Obviously, that must mean that non-violent have seen actual video footage of armed criminals must be released back into the robbers being shot by desperate victims trying to community. That is exactly what is happening. defend themselves from the onslaught. One The Penalties and Sentences Act and the fellow's shop had been robbed three times in Juvenile Justice Act are forcing the judges and the previous six months. This was the fourth magistrates to release those car thieves and time. This happened in my electorate. Last housebreakers back into the community. The week, an intruder was shot. This simply means cost to the home owner, however, can be much that the public is starting to lose faith in the higher. Victims are being forced to live behind criminal justice system in Queensland. If people bars, with burglar alarms and guard dogs. Many cannot be sure that their property is safe and of these victims are being forced to do this not their personal security cannot be guaranteed, just because of fear but simply to ensure the then they will ensure it themselves; they will take the law into their own hands and defend continuation of their insurance coverage. themselves. If the penalties for crime get too far Insurance companies are starting to decline out of step with community attitudes, then the the coverage of certain properties. Insurance community will deal with it themselves. companies are calculating the crime statistics and One aspect of this debate seems to have mapping high-crime areas. If one happens to live been lost, that is, the direct financial cost of crime in one of those insurance no-go areas, and if to the community. This Government is forcing one's house happens to be broken into, one the community to directly foot the bill for law and faces one's insurance being cancelled. order, but because of this the community at large According to insurance brokers on the Gold is paying far more. For instance, in the past few Coast, the Gold Coast strip has become one of years we have seen the advent of postcode those areas. Insurance companies are refusing loadings for insurance. In other words, in new insurance business even if there is no particular areas Queensland insurance history of claims. They are requiring the following policyholders are paying more to insure their security measures: deadlocks on all external property than are people in other areas. doors; key-operated window locks in all cases; We are seeing a massive escalation in the and security screens as well in some cases. cost of insurance as a result of this increase in The brokers are complaining that the crime. Early in 1992, FAI—one of the largest insurance companies have been pulling out of insurers in Queensland— announced an the coast strip for the past 12 months because increase of up to 50 per cent in its car insurance the area has a claims history much in excess of premiums. One of my constituents complained the rest of south-east Queensland. This bitterly that the insurance on his Volkswagen situation arose in Carrara in my own electorate. had increased by 50 per cent in one year. A Following a number of break and enters, one of representative of an insurance company at the my constituents was refused insurance time said that, because of the crime problem, coverage for his property. As a result of one premiums in high-risk areas must go up. He said company refusing to insure, according to his that motor vehicles were high risk. Most holders insurance broker no other company will insure of comprehensive car insurance policies will find his property. He has installed security grilles on that their insurance premiums have increased by all windows and doors, and a security alarm, and at least $100 or more in the past two years. he has even bought a guard dog. Yet insurance The community is now forced to fund a companies will not insure his home. It is quite private police force through security guards. tragic. His home has been broken into—with all How often do we now see these guards the trauma and loss associated with being a stationed outside banks and other financial victim of crime—and now he is getting the institutions? As a result of the fear and torment of double whammy of his insurance being our embattled victims, security firms are now cancelled. enjoying a thriving growth industry. The community pays for this. People in the I shall now read from a letter I received from community are forced to take such security that constituent which truly sums up the dilemma 22 February 1994 7048 Legislative Assembly facing property owners. The letter, dated 18 insurance being cancelled. Faced with this February this year, states— problem, many people are arming themselves. If "Between 13th January 1992 and 6th they are not able to insure their properties June 1993 we have been burgled four because of continual robberies in an area, they times. On these occasions we lost personal will take the law into their own hands. belongings totalling approximately The situation of property owners being $16,000. Throughout this period and to the refused insurance is particularly dangerous, but 15th February, 1994 we were insured with one cannot blame the insurance companies. FAI Insurance. They are in business. If the risk becomes too great, they have no alternative other than to On 7th February I received advice that decline the coverage. They are commercial FAI would no longer be insuring us on the operations, not charities. Obviously, these areas grounds of our claims history. In this last have become no-go areas for insurance week I have tried to obtain insurance cover companies. More and more areas are becoming from various avenues but have been no-go areas for insurance companies, and they unsuccessful. It seems that once an are becoming the battlefields between the insurance company declines to insure you criminals and the residents. I also table so will everyone else. documents from FAI Insurance and the broker We now find ourselves uninsured of concerned. These documents detail the trauma our family home and all of our belongings my constituent has gone through and the extent and because of this we are devastated. to which he had to go to secure his property. . . . As insurance becomes more difficult to we were intending to install an alarm they obtain in Queensland more people will arm then agreed that was a good idea . . . we did themselves. Insurance companies are voting in July last year at a substantial cost to us. with their feet. A number of questions need to be asked. How many areas have become Thank God we have not been burgled insurance no-go areas and where are they? How since the alarm was installed. In addition to many home owners have been refused the alarm we have also acquired a Rottweiler insurance because of numerous break and enter guard dog and added security fencing to offences? Which parts of Queensland are the our property. worst hit areas? Is it any wonder that victims are You can not imagine how one feels starting to protest and are living behind bars? when all of a sudden you find that all of your They are being forced to do so by criminals and worldly possessions are placed in jeopardy insurance companies. and what makes it more aggravating is when Time expired. ones not at fault. I wonder how many other families are facing this same nightmare! . . . Rural Ambulance Services Finally, Ray it may sound that I am Ms POWER (Mansfield) (11.30 a.m.): Last going on and on about this, but let me week I placed Opposition members on notice. I assure you that no letter however long can will not allow them to perpetuate their myths in explain the discomfort that I and my family rural Queensland any longer. I thought the are currently experiencing. Prior to these people of rural Queensland would see through burglaries, and over a period of 23 years of their untruths and their scaremongering, but requiring insurance, I have never had the their deception is so entrenched that the necessity to make a claim. perceptions have become people's realities. That is very dangerous. It is dangerous because Prior to . . . these break-ins we have we now have the good people of Monto, led by not been broken into for a period of 23 their National Party representative, the less than years. honourable member for Callide, calling us I do not really know what options are thieves. It is dangerous because other local available to us or what assistance if any you ambulance committees will want similar can offer us but let me assure you that we commitments. It is dangerous because members would be grateful for any help you can offer of the Opposition are saying one thing in this us." House and saying something else out in the I table that letter. bush to win votes. One of the most worrying aspects of this Members on the Opposition benches issue is that after people have taken substantial served on the committee that considered security measures they may still face their ambulance services. They travelled around this Legislative Assembly 7049 22 February 1994

State. They were part of a unanimous report to of vehicles and/or equipment. People who were this House. The speeches in Hansard will show well off could afford to improve the ambulance that they made comment, and they suggested service and those who could not—— and agreed with the view to service the Mr Johnson interjected. ambulance society through a central office and to take the funding into the State office. It was a Ms POWER: I notice the member for unanimous report; not one member of the Gregory is bellowing in his normal fashion. I have Opposition chose then to say that we should not not seen him too often take to his feet to explain take the money away. At that time, nobody said it what he believes has happened. Of course, not was thieving. only was there no training and no commitment to the staff or security, but also when the officers Today it is a different story. Today, when we were called out they left their partners or another ask the people of Monto to follow the law, they family member to operate the communications want to call us thieves. They are being asked to system. do only what everyone else was asked to do. Opposition members agreed on the The history of the Ambulance Service is a recommendation to have the money centralised long one. It began in 1892. In the 1980s there and now they are playing a political game for their were several reports recommending upgrading own political expediency. It will not do. of training, upgrading of the funding, and so on. It continued through 1986. It was only when a The background to the Ambulance Labor Party was elected to Government that the Service—as we know today—is a frightening issues of the Ambulance Service were taken on. one. Prior to 1 July we had some 96 ambulance The truth is that National Party members did not centres and committees. That number had want to upset their constituency. They did not increased considerably. Prior to 1991 there was want to upset their mates who were sitting on a very parochial attitude throughout the committee boards. The Opposition could not Ambulance Service. The Opposition finds a bit deliver services. As the Premier said this wearing the fact that I have lived out in western morning, it took a Labor Government to deliver Queensland and know the sort of service that services in rural Queensland. It is not our the National Party gave. There was no real constituency—it belongs to members of the commitment to staff training or competency Opposition and they have sold the rural maintenance. In fact, I remember being at a constituency out. We have given them a football game at the local showgrounds where Minister, a rural communities unit and a fair and the ambulance—— equitable Ambulance Service—a service to Mr Santoro: Were you a spectator or were which members of the Opposition agreed when you playing? the legislation was passed in this House in 1991. Ms POWER: I can assure the honourable member that I was a very unwilling spectator. It is true to say, and I am sure that members Towards the end of the game—the locals were of the Ambulance Service would agree, that it being given a bit of a hiding—one of the has not been an easy road. A lot of that results opposition members was hurt and the from its history, the parochial attitudes and many ambulance fellow was actually a bit reluctant to of the undermining problems that have been help out that fellow. His argument was that he faced—including some of the financial problems. was there for his own side—the people who At least we in the Government have taken the provided him with his income and vehicle. There time to look at the issues and improve the was a lack of cooperation and coordination of services. In fact, today we see a corporate plan ambulance services between the committees. being developed by the Queensland There were arguments on several occasions—— Ambulance Service that will ensure that it will Mr Johnson: I suggest that you go to deliver ambulance services that minimise the Longreach and talk to the ambulance people in loss of life and severity of illness and injury in the Longreach. pre-hospital environment and promote patient recovery. Ms POWER: I have been to Longreach. I have been there when they had arguments The Queensland Ambulance Service is about who was responsible to go to pick up headed by the commissioner and operates in six people who had an accident somewhere regions across the State. The Queensland between Barcaldine and Blackall. Ambulance Service is a frontline health and emergency service providing emergency Mr Johnson: There will soon be no-one response and transport, pre-hospital patient to pick them up the way your mob's going. care, specialised interfacility patient transfer, Ms POWER: That is not true and I will get community education in prevention and to that issue later. There was no standardisation 22 February 1994 7050 Legislative Assembly treatment of illness, community preparedness responsive to the communities in which they and industry advice. serve. We will not be leaving it to chance. The All communities of Queensland need an training will be ongoing and will meet with emergency ambulance response. They need it national standards. not only as an ambulance service but also as a One of the worst things that I can remember coordinated way to meet all of their emergency about the Ambulance Service in the 1980s was service needs in counter-disaster planning. That that when ambulance officers went on holidays, is what is happening with the Ambulance Service quite often no-one was there to replace them. A being integrated into the Emergency Services telephone service told people that for the next Department. Specialised transport services are two weeks the ambulance officer would be away, required to provide equitable access to health that there was no-one there to serve them and care services that were not otherwise available. that if they had an urgent need they could ring The list is quite extensive when one considers the police. That has gone on for long enough. I the sort of services that are being provided am happy to support a proposal that starts to see throughout Queensland—not just in selected the Ambulance Service provide a service right centres. across Queensland. When officers are taking the Mr Veivers: How much will it cost? leave that is due to them, they will be replaced. Ms POWER: What cost does the As we have seen with the law and order honourable member put on people's lives. I think debate, it is very unhealthy for the National Party that the member for Southport is a very cynical to prolong the uncertainty—to scaremonger. man if he wants to bring it down to dollars and After a period the perceptions that they are cents. generating could become our realities. Mr Veivers: I just asked a question. You The achievements of the Queensland don't know how much it will cost. Ambulance Service to date need to be highlighted. It has some 545 000 patients per Ms POWER: I do not think we will know annum. The enhanced clinical procedures that the outlay. The Opposition is using a are being offered mean that the service being scaremongering tactic. It is urging people not to provided by ambulance officers is certainly of a buy into the Ambulance Service. That is putting national quality. The operations are coordinated the people's dollars at risk because they will get a throughout all emergency services; they do not healthy bill when they have to use the service. just result from the actions of an individual in an Worse than that, if they decide not to use the individual town. I have mentioned before that the ambulance service because they have not training programs are going to be recognised as subscribed, they could risk their life. I do not national standards. That certainly will be a first. know what cost the honourable members opposite place on life, but I think it is valuable. Time expired. Mr Johnson: Your lot don't put a cost on it at all; you do not value life. Eastern Corridor Ms POWER: I do not believe that to be Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (11.40 a.m.): true. We are looking at a service that is being Before I talk about another very contentious managed right throughout the State. I have issue, I refer to remarks that were made by the been to the central west—— member for Mansfield about the Ambulance Mr Johnson: Come out to the central Service. She spoke about a deterioration in that west and I will take you on a tour of the service. There has been a deterioration all right. ambulance facilities in that area. Four Ministers of this Government have looked after the Ambulance Service—Mackenroth, Ms POWER: I will be doing it for myself. I Warburton, Braddy and now Burns. I suggest will see it for myself in a fair light, not with the that the Premier visits the people in the central honourable member's help and assistance, I can west and apologises to them for the withdrawal assure him. I do not want to be part of his rumour of services by this Government. If he does that, mongering and untruths. he will be flying to those areas for the next two One of the big benefits that will result will be years. the ongoing training that is going to be However, I want to talk about the Gold Coast undertaken in the Ambulance Service. We will corridor, the South East Freeway and the see different levels of officers in both the upgrading of the current Gold Coast highway. honorary and secure positions. People will not Despite much fanfare and a $2m study by be part of the Ambulance Service simply Rankine and Hill, the construction of the eastern because they are mates of the National Party corridor, or the upgrading of the existing Gold membership. They will have training and be Coast highway, is no closer than it was two years Legislative Assembly 7051 22 February 1994 ago. That work is vital to the growth and to know what the future holds. This morning, the prosperity of this rapidly developing area of the Minister for Business, Industry and Regional State. The vital element that is missing is the will Development spoke about businesses not to begin. It is of paramount importance that the being able to get the job done. I ask: when is he matter be addressed. Time is running out. going to ask the Transport Minister to do Almost two years ago, the Government said that something about the Gold Coast highway so that it had a plan which would avoid any major impact interfacing between the Gold Coast and on koala habitats, which would have a minimal Brisbane can occur? No, the Minister cannot impact on cane fields and which would affect make a decision. about only 100 properties along the length of Road construction impacts on planning the new eastern corridor. The Pacific Highway decisions. People involved in the construction was going to be widened to six lanes, with a industry are being held up because of the need possible transit lane as well. The section north of to obtain building permits, and town planners the Logan River was to disperse traffic onto the cannot determine optimum locations for existing arterial roads, which were to be commercial zoning. There is a pathetic lack of upgraded. cooperation between this State Labor So much for the announcements. What Government and local government. Brisbane's happened to the roadworks? As per usual, public transport system is a classic example. nothing has happened. The Minister and this Queensland Rail is running suburban rail Government are creating confusion in the services which duplicate the services that are communities that will be affected. We must provided by the city council. This ensures that consider the effects of ministerial both bodies lose as much taxpayers' money as procrastination, and what it costs Queensland. possible. For as long as the Minister does nothing, the I fear that the same idea could be cost of resumption, wherever it may be—the implemented on a larger scale. The Minister talks south-eastern corridor or the upgrading of the about rail services between Brisbane and Gold Coast highway—increases. In years to Robina. Once again, he is only talking. We see come, the cost of purchasing land upon which to no plans to coordinate road and rail services into build a road would have risen so much that the an integrated transport network. The member for project would no longer be viable. Perhaps that Southport has said that a rail link will, at best, is just what the Minister is hoping for. It will then reduce traffic overcrowding by a mere 8 per cent. become his excuse for not delivering the That figure is correct. Railways have capabilities promised freeway. The current confusion must that roads do not possess. Rail provides the best end. The Minister should bite the bullet and mode of transport for bulk goods, especially make a positive statement that will benefit all the minerals such as coal. However, it is not well people who are affected. They will then have the suited to passenger and small-to-medium freight peace of mind of knowing what the future holds transit. for them and for other Queenslanders. Clearly, the Minister has lost the plot in Another cost of procrastination is the loss of adopting a mode of transport that is satisfactory opportunity for business and private individuals in this region. A number of studies of transport in because they do not know where, or if, they south-east Queensland have been should plan new building projects in the future. I conducted—the Eastern Corridor Study, the refer to the tourism, manufacturing, retailing and Brisbane Traffic Study and the South-East transport industries, which have to make Queensland Passenger Transport Study. Each decisions based on the location and availability shire has a plan. For example, the Albert Shire of roadways. For the benefit of this Government, plan is based on the proposed Beenleigh to I point out that business plans ahead, even if the Robina rail link. Because of the local direction of Government does not. Business relies on roads these plans, no thought has been given to inter- to transport raw materials and finished goods, to regional passenger transport. To a large extent, transport its labour force to and from its place of decision making is handled at a local level and no employment and to provide its customers with consideration is given to the complex issue of access to its goods and services. Many regional urban transport integration. If the businesses rely on passing trade that is Minister does not provide the guiding hand generated by a roadway as their main customer required at State level, disaster will result. base. Releasing plans, making announcements and Tourism on the Gold Coast is waning then doing nothing to bring them to fruition in because this Government cannot make a two years is not providing the leadership that is decision about this matter. Local government is required. also left wondering. It is vital for local government 22 February 1994 7052 Legislative Assembly

Studies are not the answer to the problem. tonnes of freight. As the member for Southport Planning studies such as SEQ 2001 have a has told this House already, currently it is at place but they are worth nothing until there is the saturation point. The rail link to Robina will relieve action and commitment that is required at the passenger load on the Pacific Highway by ministerial level. The population projections for only 2.3 million passengers a year. In view of the south-east Queensland indicate that an 22.5 million passengers who currently travel enormous increase in road infrastructure is along the Pacific Highway—and that figure is envisaged. Service roads will also need to be growing—2.3 million is not a large number. As upgraded. For example, I cite the Broadbeach well, the Robina railway line will create further Road from Nerang to Broadbeach. What a development along its route and, if history is catastrophe that is! The Rankine and Hill study anything to go by, much of that 2.3 million shows that, by the year 2006, the population of capacity will be negated by the extra patronage the Albert Shire will increase from 139 000 to that will result from this further development. 307 000, the Logan Shire from 148 000 to I urge those members on the Government 234 000, and the Redland Shire from 80 000 to back benches who represent areas on the Gold 180 000. Yet the Minister still cannot decide Coast to get this Minister and this Cabinet to do whether a new freeway is required or whether a something about this matter. proposal to upgrade the existing network has merit. I say that the new freeway is required, and Time expired. it is required now. It is required because it is a critical element in the management of the Townsville City Council projected growth of south-east Queensland. Mr DAVIES (Mundingburra) (11.50 a.m.): Projected employment and retail One of the reasons that I live in Townsville—— requirements for south-east Queensland indicate an urgent need for the eastern corridor Mr Veivers: Hello—the turbo from road link, or an upgrading of the existing Gold Townsville! Coast highway. The Government should get Mr DAVIES:—for the benefit of the moving. If the Minister cannot do the job, he member for Southport—is its lifestyle. It might should be replaced. Peter Beattie, who is a not be quite as sexy as living on the Gold Coast, member of the transport committee, wants the but it is a great town. That is why I have been job. living there since 1973. Employment opportunities in industry are Mr Ardill: The second most livable place in focused increasingly on industrial estates in the Australia. shires that will be affected by the roadway. For Honourable members interjected. example, the Albert Shire—and the member for Albert is not present to hear this; he is not Mr DAVIES: I would have to disagree. I interested—will provide industrial land to meet would say that it is the most livable place. the needs of the Gold Coast. Logan City, one of Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): the fastest-growing urban areas of Australia, is Order! The Chair has been very tolerant until exploiting this capacity, and is aiming at now. The Chair's patience is being tested substantial self-sufficiency in providing jobs for severely. its ever-increasing population. The Gold Coast Mr DAVIES: That lifestyle has improved will see continuing reliance on tourism, and this dramatically since the election of the first Labor means a labour-intensive service industry. The council in 1976, with Perc Tucker as mayor. As cost of housing on the Gold Coast will remain most of us would be aware, Perc Tucker was a high, and projections suggest that the work former State Opposition Leader in Queensland. force in the Gold Coast hospitality industry will When he was elected as mayor, three years had live away from the coast and settle in areas such gone by since I had move to Townsville. In 1980, as Logan, Robina, Oxenford or Redlands. That four years later, Mike Reynolds became mayor, means an even greater demand for roadways. after the untimely death of Perc Tucker. Mike The industrial area of the Albert Shire will be retired in 1989 to pursue a new career, and he is located between the proposed railway and the now the director for the Centre of Local Pacific Highway. Hence, there is the potential for Government Studies at the University of a transport system that integrates road and rail. Canberra, as well as being the chairman of the Again, the limitation will be the provision of Townsville Port Authority. suitable roadworks, about which this Government is procrastinating. Tony Mooney, the youngest alderman elected to Townsville City Council, at age 23, The existing Pacific Highway carries 22.5 succeeded Mike Reynolds in a hard-fought million passengers a year, as well as 10 million by-election in 1989. Although these three Labor Legislative Assembly 7053 22 February 1994 mayors all have different styles and approaches some $20m. It is also a strategic transport to government, they have all had one thing in focus—the nodal point for northern, southern common—that is, looking after the lifestyle of and western highways, and an important port Townsville and looking after the people of and railway network. The roads and railways Townsville extremely well. We do have a reach out into the vast agricultural and mineral significant transient population, but each one of hinterlands; to agriculture to the west, south and those mayors has been overwhelmingly north; and to minerals further out west. The returned by all of the new people coming primary sector has always been vital to the city's through Townsville. It says something for the old prosperity. adage that party politics interferes in local I could say a lot more about what has been government. A lot of the people who come from happening in Townsville over the last three interstate do not even think about party politics years—and particularly over the last 20-odd when they come to Townsville. Over a long time years since Labor first came to power. in Townsville, the Labor Townsville City Council Unfortunately, over the last few years, the Liberal has put one thing very firmly at the top of its opposition—if we can call it that—which consists agenda each time it goes to an election—that is, of three opposition members, has become a continuation of the lifestyle. increasingly frustrated at not being able to Townsville is not a naturally green place, but become the dominant party in the town. Some of the greening of Townsville has been one of the the signs of that frustration—and I am quite sad successes—— to have to talk about this today—are the derision, Mr FitzGerald: It will be green after the smears and personal attacks that they have next election—greener than it is now. made in relation to the Townsville City Council. One alderman in particular, Alderman Peter Mr DAVIES: The honourable member Lindsay, seems to have made a habit of this. At a should not hold his breath. It has been one of council meeting late last year, Alderman Toni the great successes of the three Labor Kirkpatrick, one of the female aldermen of the administrations. They have had the foresight to Townsville City Council, had to put up with make sure, firstly, that Stages 1 and 2 of the Alderman Peter Lindsay threatening to assault Ross River Dam were built. Secondly, the her at a council meeting late in 1992. She had to commitment of the then Federal Treasurer, Paul put up with verbal abuse, derogatory and Keating, to build the Burdekin Dam and the offensive personal remarks, including swearing subsequent decision to run a pipeline from the and being told that she was an unfit mother. That Burdekin Dam to the Ross River Dam has type of behaviour can only be condemned. guaranteed Townsville's water supply. So it has enough water. Fortunately, we have not had to Also, over the last year or so, Mr Lindsay use the reserves of the Burdekin Dam. It holds faxed a personal letter to the council's enough water for any industry. Townsville has engineering department. He said that it was a plenty of flat land, and it also has a very mistake and that he dialled an incorrect number. progressive council. In that facsimile, he said that he had threatened Ms Kirkpatrick during a council meeting several When he was elected as mayor in 1989, months ago because she had been ignoring his Tony Mooney made a commitment with his team concerns about aldermen's phone bills. If he to protect the lifestyle that I mentioned cannot conduct himself a bit better than that, he before—the lifestyle that we all enjoy so much in should give the game away. If there were only Townsville. In the face of many challenges, that one example, we could probably accept that he pledge has been fulfilled, yet growth and made a mistake and slipped up once. But, change are now a constant feature of life in the recently, he has had to publicly apologise to city. At 39 years of age, Tony Mooney is a Alderman Ann Bunnell. The apology, in the politician whose success at three polls has Townsville Bulletin of 23 November, stated— hinged on achieving a balance between lifestyle and ambition, both for himself and for the City of "I, Peter Lindsay, an Alderman of the Townsville. Townsville is a complex community. City of Townsville, wish to unreservedly Traditionally, it was a workers' town, relying on apologise to Alderman Ann Bunnell, industries such as meat processing, fishing, Deputy Mayor of the City of Townsville, for cement, copper, nickel and cobalt refining. material contained in letters written by myself to proprietors of small businesses in Mr Veivers: You have lost the cement Division 10 and elsewhere in Townsville and works to Rocky. published on various dates in November, Mr DAVIES: The member for Southport is 1992. showing his ignorance of what is happening at the Townsville port, with the QCL expansion of I accept that statements contained in these letters were misleading and I 22 February 1994 7054 Legislative Assembly

acknowledge their publication injured This Bill has three objectives. The first Alderman Bunnell in her character, credit objective is to amend the City of Brisbane Act and reputation. Furthermore, I wish to 1924 to provide the Chief Returning Officer and publicly withdraw these allegations and returning officers for the Brisbane City Council apologise for any injury they may have elections with the necessary powers under the caused." Electoral Act 1992 to conduct the forthcoming Mr Barton: Labor will get 10 out of 10 elections. The second objective is to postpone again this time! the elections for the Warwick City Council and the Allora, Glengallan and Rosenthal Shire Mr DAVIES: That is No. 2. Those letters Councils. The third objective is to correct minor were sent to the small business community of omissions made to the consequential Townsville making certain allegations about amendments to the Building Act 1975 contained Alderman Bunnell. in the Schedule to the Local Government Act An honourable member interjected. 1993. The coalition supports the amendments Mr DAVIES: So he had to eat humble pie, before the House. The amendments to the City as the honourable member correctly interjected. of Brisbane Act 1924 and the Local Government The behaviour of Alderman Lindsay is in Act 1993 are fairly urgent, as both apply to the direct contravention of the code of conduct forthcoming triennial local government elections. adopted by the Townsville City Council under The amendment to the City of Brisbane Act is "Personal Behaviour of Members and Staff", retrospective. The commencement date for the sections 3 (a) and 3 (e). It is quite abhorrent that amended Part 2 is 1 February 1994—21 days the standard of behaviour of Alderman Lindsay, ago. It is noted from the Minister's as an elected representative, has fallen to that second-reading speech that a regulation was level. In February of last year, during a planning made under the City of Brisbane Act on 3 meeting, he swore at Alderman Kirkpatrick. He February 1994 to confer extra powers on the used the words, "You just don't f . . . understand Chief Returning Officer to commence the anything." electoral process in Brisbane. It is appreciated On 10 March 1992, at the coordination and that, in preparing the Electoral Act, all the resources meeting, Alderman Lindsay once implications of establishing the independent again took it upon himself to make a personal Electoral Commission may not have been and derogatory remark to Alderman Kirkpatrick, apparent. We support that amendment. naming her as an unfit mother. I draw the The amendment of the Local Government attention of the House to those things. I hope Act 1993, which is included in this Bill, the election campaign will be of a higher postpones the elections in the Warwick City standard than that. Council, the Allora Shire Council, the Glengallan Shire Council and the Rosenthal Shire Council. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The The amendment is effective for one year from time allotted for the debate on matters of public the date of commencement. In other words, the interest has expired. triennial local government elections in those councils must be held within the next 12 months. The Opposition cannot and will not be LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION as charitable in its support for this amendment as AMENDMENT BILL it is for the amendment to the City of Brisbane Second Reading Act. Debate resumed from 15 February (see p. As members are aware, the delay in the 6860). triennial elections in the Shires of Rosenthal, Allora and Glengallan and the City of Warwick has Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (12 noon): I its genesis in a decision by State Cabinet to rise to contribute to this debate in place of the amalgamate those councils following a Opposition's spokesperson on Local recommendation of the Local Government Government, Di McCauley, who is attending to Commissioner. The consequence of this some very pressing matters in her electorate. I ultimately led to the Rosenthal Shire Council's noted with interest that this Bill was the only action before the Supreme Court arguing that piece of legislation presented to the House on the Local Government Commissioner did not the first sitting day after the recess. The fact that properly carry out procedures for the shire it is being debated today indicates that it must be boundary review as set down in the Local passed urgently. Government Act and associated regulation. Legislative Assembly 7055 22 February 1994

The council argued that the Local As pointed out by a Rosenthal Shire Government Commissioner's final report councillor, the Local Government Commissioner recommending amalgamation included "is sole investigator, judge and jury and substantial changes to his preliminary report and, executioner". Ultimately, however, it is Cabinet therefore, the changes should have been that says "Yes" or "No". That is where the final advertised before presentation to Cabinet. As decision is made. Cabinet has to accept its the House will recall, Mr Justice Dowsett agreed responsibility. I warn Cabinet that it will pay the with that argument. In his judgment, he stated— political price for the ramifications of these "I am satisfied that the changes involve decisions all over Queensland. Of course, substantial variations to the original Cabinet can overrule the commissioner's recommendations." recommendations. It is interesting to note that the Local The story gets worse. The Premier will Government Commissioner had to pay the not—and I emphasise "not"—meet a deputation Rosenthal Shire Council's costs. of the shire councillors to personally hear their submissions. The Premier has done a Pontius Mr Mackenroth interjected. Pilate. The fact that he will not listen to the bush Mr FITZGERALD: I ask the Minister to is illustrated by his actions in this case. Of repeat his interjection. course, the Premier can afford to thumb his nose Mr Mackenroth: That's probably because at that part of Queensland. No ALP Rosenthal won. parliamentarians are at risk by his and his Government's arrogant attitude. What is more, Mr FITZGERALD: Despite the there is no chance of Labor winning any seat in protestations of the people of Rosenthal, the area in the very, very long term. amalgamation ultimately will go ahead, according to this Government. In taking that action, the The ramifications of forced amalgamations Labor Government will be trampling over the do not affect the Warwick area alone. I ask the wishes of the people—— Minister: what will happen with regard to any recommendation for amalgamations in the Cairns Mr Mackenroth: There's nothing surer area? If such a recommendation is made, the than the sun will come up tomorrow. members for Mulgrave, Barron River and Cairns Mr FITZGERALD: The Minister says that may have some interesting comments to make there is nothing surer than that the sun will come on the right of a Government to trample over the up tomorrow. That is an interesting comment. In wishes of the people. If 80 per cent of the taking that action, the Labor Government will be electors of Mulgrave, 80 per cent of the electors trampling over the wishes of the people, who of Barron River and a substantial percentage of have quite clearly shown that they are opposed the electors of Cairns are opposed to forced to amalgamation. I place on record the support of amalgamations, will the Government trample over the Opposition for the objection to that them? amalgamation. Mr Campbell: You used to do it. This Labor Government has proven beyond Mr FITZGERALD: The member for doubt its lack of commitment to democratic Bundaberg was the genesis of this issue. At the principles. The Rosenthal, Allora and Glengallan first meeting of caucus after the Government councils have put forward very acceptable won power, the member for Bundaberg alternatives to forced amalgamation. Those moved—— councils submitted to the Local Government Commissioner a signed document claiming that Mr Campbell: And I'm proud of it. amalgamation provided no benefit to the shires Mr FITZGERALD: The member for involved. That is an extremely important point, Bundaberg says that he is proud of it. He urged and I will return to it later. The submission the Labor Government to remove the "National proposed that the most equitable arrangement Party stooges" from various councils. I was not would provide for the four local government present at that meeting; I am relying on a reliable areas to remain intact. It went on to state that any source. In any event, the member for Bundaberg problems that might arise should be addressed has confirmed that he is proud of proposing that by cooperative arrangements, strategic planning action, so we can assume that it is true. I will and the formation of a regional organisation of return to that matter. councils, which would include the Shires of What will the members for Mulgrave and Stanthorpe and Inglewood as well as the four Barron River do if the Local Government councils already involved. That submission was Commissioner decides to force an amalgamation rejected by the Local Government in their electorates when 80 per cent of people Commissioner. are opposed to it? 22 February 1994 7056 Legislative Assembly

Mr Springborg: He'll have to say, "Sorry." centre. He also made a press statement. Then Mr FITZGERALD: Once again, the he flew out of Monto to Rockhampton for a Premier will have to say, "Sorry." No doubt he will Cabinet meeting, even before the wheels of the declare, "I will have to reconsider. I will have to jet had time to cool down from their arrival at listen to the people from the bush." The Premier Monto. referred to Rockhampton as "the bush". When speaking about this ambulance Townsville is also referred to as "the bush". In station at Monto, the Premier apologised to the fact, according to the Premier, everywhere north people for what had happened. He assured of Bald Hills is "the bush". The Premier is on the them that they would get their money back. The nose everywhere up there, as is the member for Premier is very selective about whom he sees. Bundaberg. He always says that he is listening to the people Dr Watson interjected. in the country, but this is one occasion on which he has to listen harder. During his short stay at Mr FITZGERALD: Moggill is "the bush", Monto, the Premier did not even have time to too, is it? talk to any of the shire councillors or anybody on Dr Watson interjected. the local ambulance committee, which is a good Mr FITZGERALD: I take that interjection. committee. The Premier was just too busy to talk One does not have to say one is sorry, but one to those people. He must be a busy man, must demonstrate one's credibility. The Premier because he tells us he is a busy man. is yet to do so. Mr Springborg: Mr Braddy is a very busy There is no political need for the Premier or man, too. the Cabinet to be consultative or show any Mr FITZGERALD: I know that members of sense of caring to those councils. That is the way the Cabinet are very busy. If they continue to in which the Premier is running this State. What light fires such as this all over the countryside, will he do in north Queensland? I intend to warn they will find themselves even busier. However, the people of north Queensland about the ultimately they will have plenty of time to reflect actions of this Government. Earlier today during upon their attitude to the people in the bush. question time, Mr Speaker ordered the member They have made too many mistakes and have for Tablelands to withdraw from the Chamber. refused to listen for too long. After the next However, I am confident that the member for election, they will have plenty of time to rest and Tablelands will warn the people of the Cairns have holidays, because they will no longer be in region about the fate that awaits them if the Government. Government tramples over the rights of the The Local Government Commissioner will people in the Glengallan, Rosenthal, Warwick be under some pressure to have the forced and Allora Shires. amalgamations of shire councils completed As to the Premier listening to the before the end of June. Those amalgamations people—hope springs eternal. He seems to be will become very messy if they are not finished in the mood for making apologies; for saying that by the end of the financial year. If they are not Wayne Goss and Labor have made mistakes. It finished by then, that will necessitate a need for would be magnanimous of the Premier if he were new budgets. That is a major concern of the to extend an apology to the ratepayers of the Opposition. If there are to be forced relevant shire councils for not meeting their amalgamations, when are they going to take representatives and graciously accept a place? There is a very real fear by councillors of deputation. The Premier really should accept the the shires that amalgamation will be forced on deputation. The excuse he gives for not the shires by the Goss Government legislation. accepting a deputation is that he is too busy. Today in this House, the Minister indicated that That is not an excuse. The House will record that he was as sure of the amalgamations being only last week the Premier was too busy to completed by the end of June as he was of the attend a meeting held in his own electorate. He sun coming up tomorrow morning. Who knows could not even make it to a meeting that was what will happen if it is a cloudy day tomorrow! raising concerns held by constituents in his own It is ironic that, in Queensland, this ALP electorate. Government is enlarging councils, while across The Premier keeps putting forward this the Tasman in New Zealand some councils are excuse that he is too busy. He was too busy for being downsized. The Chairman of the New people in his own electorate, yet what did we Zealand Local Government Commission, Sir see over the weekend? The Premier was able to Brian Elwood, told delegates attending the 1992 fly out to Monto to see the local ambulance Local Government Association annual centre there. I understand that while he was conference that he was given the legislative there he spoke to one officer at the ambulance power to completely overhaul and reorganise Legislative Assembly 7057 22 February 1994 local governments in New Zealand. He said that recognition that caused anger against and the result was an unequivocal success, with distrust of "Wayne Goss and Labor". councils being downsized from threshold In considering this amendment of the Local populations of 20 000 to 10 000. He said that Government Act, it is important to understand most of the new councils had improved their the process "Wayne Goss and Labor" used that accountability to electors and no rate increases has resulted in this absolute shambles we have for the past two years had become today. In that "Wayne Goss and Labor" commonplace. document, the Deputy Premier proposed a This Queensland Labor Government is hell- resolution which authorised the now defunct bent on enlarging communities and overriding Electoral and Administrative Review Commission community of interest. It is implementing and to undertake investigation into— following the failed model of the now "(b) that part of the local authority vanquished and failed former Victoria Labor administration as relates to the factors Premier, John Cain, a one-time hero of Premier affecting the determination of the areas of Wayne Goss. local authorities, and in particular whether It must be said that the former and failed the existing boundaries of the areas are the Labor Premier Cain had the good sense to see most appropriate having regard to fair and the error of forced amalgamations, and, almost equitable representation for all electors and 12 months to the day after announcing major the proper, economically viable efficient restructuring to local government, to say any discharge of the responsibilities of each change in relation to municipal structures would local authority and, if not what changes proceed only with the support of the councils (including amalgamation) are necessary or affected was a complete turn around. desirable in order to achieve such fair and It is a shame that this Goss Government equitable representation for all electors and could not see the light and follow the same the proper, economically viable and efficient example. Unfortunately, this Queensland Labor discharge of the responsibilities of each Government is too far down the track in its local authority." restructuring to admit it is wrong and far too To make matters worse, "Wayne Goss and arrogant to eat humble pie. Labor" had the gall to set the reporting dates. I take this opportunity to quote to Although it was a reference from Parliament to honourable members from a document titled the Electoral and Administrative Review "Recognising Local Government", the local Commission, its genesis was political. Of course government policy of "Wayne Goss and Labor" it was political! I spoke about the actions of the prior to the 1989 State election. The document member for Bundaberg in this matter. states— I am aware that there was a request of EARC "As far as possible ministerial to report back to the House. All honourable responsibility will extend only to matters members know that they had to seek an such as the overall effectiveness of the local extension of time. It was impossible for that to be government system and its contribution to done in such a short time. In fact, the minority the well being of the inhabitants of the report from the parliamentary committee with State. which I was associated highlighted the fact that EARC had failed to carry out its responsibilities Labor believes that intervention of the because it did not look at the economic viability affairs of a council should only take place or the economics of the amalgamations. The where a great deal of evidence exists to excuse from EARC was, if I can recall it off the top indicate that the council concerned is acting of my head, that it did not have time to do that illegally or outside its powers. Even if a report and that it was unable to establish it. council is seen to be acting unwisely, it However, it still recommended amalgamations, should be answerable to the electors for its and did so right across the State, whether the failure rather than have guidance forced shires wanted amalgamation or not. upon it by the State." I say to all ratepayers to think twice when The Goss Government had not even they put the pen in their hand to write the next warmed the seats on the Treasury benches—in rate cheque. The ratepayers want to know what fact, it was just four months old on 29 March value for money they are getting. They want to 1990—when the Deputy Premier and the then know whether an amalgamated shire will give Minister for Local Government "recognised local value for money; they not only want to know government". It was a recognition of local whether an amalgamated shire will improve the government expected, or even suspected, in social amenity of the area. Not only will they feel the run-up to the 1989 State election. It was better about being amalgamated with another 22 February 1994 7058 Legislative Assembly area, not only will they have a community of Mr FITZGERALD: The Minister did not interest with fellow residents in the area, but they support that? want to know if they are getting value for money. Mr Mackenroth: No. They want to know if this is going to save money and whether the councils will be more Mr FITZGERALD: Did the Minister economically viable or whether they will not. oppose it? To say that EARC looked at these matters Mr Mackenroth: No. I wasn't a member of and did a proper job is scandalous. Of course it Cabinet at the time. was impossible. The job done by EARC was a Mr FITZGERALD: I note that the Minister disaster. As a signatory to that minority report, I who now has the responsibility of carrying out highlighted these problems. The parliamentary that Cabinet decision, and who is bound by committee travelled the State, at great expense Cabinet solidarity—although at that time he was to the people of Queensland. We flew all around not—has come clean and says that he did not Queensland and we spoke to people who had support the amalgamation. held public meetings. Of course, this is a highly Mr Mackenroth: No, I said I wasn't a charged and emotional issue for the people in member of Cabinet. these shires. I know that all members of the committee were touched by the amount of Mr FITZGERALD: I understand that the emotion and feeling that those people Minister was not a member of Cabinet at that displayed. time. But the Deputy Premier at that time is still the Deputy Premier now. He is the Minister in However, what did the Government do charge of rural affairs, but he voted in favour of when it read the minority report that reflected the the forced amalgamations. What is he going to feelings of the local people? The Government do with any other shire that has forced ignored it totally. It is going to put on jackboots amalgamations thrust upon it? Is that very same and trample all over the local people. It will start Minister going to be the happy-go-lucky off amalgamating shires such as Allora and scallywag who meets with anyone, talks to Warwick because that is a safe area as far as the people and listens to the people in the bush? ALP is concerned, or as far as this Government's We know that the Premier will not listen to the political support base is concerned. What will people in the bush. Monto is a lesson to the happen when the Government tramps all up the people in the bush. coast? I am interested to see what it will do when it gets up as far as the Cairns and Mulgrave areas. Mr T. B. Sullivan: That's a load of I can assure this House that this Government will rubbish, and you know it. not have the political hide to carry out its Mr FITZGERALD: I know that it is a load of vindictive push against country people it started rubbish that the Premier did not just touch down when it initiated this. in Monto and then fly off. The tyres of that plane It is ironic that the member who introduced were not even cold by the time it took off again. this legislation into the House was the Deputy Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. Premier, Mr Tom Burns. He was given that Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): responsibility by the Premier. He is the Minister Order! The member for Chermside! responsible for rural affairs, yet he was the person who moved in this House that EARC Mr FITZGERALD: The House will recall report back on this amalgamation issue. It is no that it was the Labor member of the Federal wonder that some of the people in country areas House of Representatives for the Division of question whether that Honourable Minister really Bowman who butted into State affairs on 3 has their interests at heart. I suggest that he is a January 1990 and said— very able and very professional member of "The gerrymander in Queensland's Parliament. In some ways he is also a very local government boundaries was far worse professional Minister; in other words, he knows than the one which governed the State." how to get a story across. But I ask on behalf of More than likely he had some coaching with all those people in Queensland who are respect to that statement, as almost on cue the threatened with forced amalgamation of their Premier and the Deputy Premier chimed in, local authority areas: who moved the motion in responding that the commission would review the House? Who supported it through Cabinet? the local government boundaries. So, in other Who supported the submission to Cabinet that words, the matter was discussed in Labor Party stated that the Cabinet will endorse circles. Commissioner Hoffman's recommendation that those shires—— From day one, Wayne Goss and Labor—and I refer to the document titled Mr Mackenroth: Not me. "Wayne Goss and Labor", because I would Legislative Assembly 7059 22 February 1994 normally refer to the Premier by his correct Mr Mackenroth: He didn't reapply for the title—have had a political agenda with respect to job. He wasn't sacked. local government, and it was against the overall Mr FITZGERALD: The Honourable interests of local government. Wayne Goss and Minister says that the Deputy Police Labor saw local government as a conservative Commissioner was not sacked. If one wants to bastion and wanted to change it, in exactly the be technical, the Minister is technically correct. same way as they sought to change the way in The people of Queensland believe that the which services were delivered. The result for Deputy Police Commissioner was sacked, and I both public services and local government has will say that he was sacked. It must be noted that been chaos. the Minister who initiated the review of local Mr Campbell: What's happening in government boundaries and administration and Victoria? the ensuing chaos no longer has that portfolio. Mr FITZGERALD: They are downsizing There is a new Minister overseeing the chaos councils in Victoria. The honourable member and trying hard to be tough. should know that. The result for both public When sackings are not enough, the services and local government has been chaos Premier wheels himself out to apologise for his and disaster in terms of policy and the impact on mistakes. It is not clear whether the Premier's communities and people. The plan has latest apology of 21 February to provincial and backfired. From one end of Queensland to the rural Queensland for so-called policy mistakes other, Wayne Goss and Labor have alienated included shire and city councils which are and angered ratepayers with forced targeted for forced amalgamations, and angry amalgamations. ratepayers. That forced amalgamations are still This amendment to the Local Government on the agenda says quite clearly that they are not Act epitomises the grand plan that has turned included in the global apology. The Premier sour—the grand plan that has gone wrong and should apologise to local government for his shows the result of Wayne Goss and Labor's Government's policies, but he should remember recognition of local government. Over the past that the currency of his apologies is hardly worth four years, Wayne Goss and Labor have been the paper they are written on. To date, the able to hide behind something or someone for Premier has apologised for being arrogant and their blunders and stumbles. When that fails, dictatorial with respect to daylight saving; taking Wayne Goss wheels himself out on behalf of basic services away from provincial and rural Labor and does a mea culpa—mea culpa, mea Queensland; cutting rail services; selling off the culpa. I believe it should be mea maxima culpa! Joh jet; robbing the ambulance funds from the Monto ambulance centre; and misleading—— It is important for this House to hear some examples of this. It is the beleaguered Local Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind Government Commissioner who is shouldering the honourable member of Standing Order 141, the blame and trying to work through the mess which refers to tedious repetition. The which, as I said, can be traced back to the Deputy honourable member has been on that point for Premier's resolution in this Parliament in March about the third time during this speech. He will 1990. It was the sacked Director-General of desist from proceeding along that line and will Health who had to pay the price for the crisis in return to the contents of the Bill before the health and the Minister's ineffectiveness. It was House. the demoted Director-General of Primary Mr FITZGERALD: I take your advice, Mr Industries who was the sacrificial lamb for the Deputy Speaker. inefficiencies of the Minister for Primary I refer to the amalgamation of the Rosenthal, Industries. It was the sacked Ambulance Glengallan and Allora Shires, which are Commissioner who was given the boot to pay specifically mentioned in the Bill. I believe that 84 the price for the Government's financial bungling per cent of people in Rosenthal, 82 per cent of of the Ambulance Service. It was the sacked people in Glengallan and 86 per cent of people Deputy Police Commissioner who had to pay the in Allora were against amalgamation. Unofficial penalty for low police morale and to cover up the polls were conducted in those areas, and these Government's own inadequate law and order are the figures that are coming in. The policy. Opposition contends that when there is such Mr Mackenroth: He wasn't sacked. widespread opposition to forced amalgamations, Mr FITZGERALD: I know that the Minister we should not have forced amalgamations. I is getting a bit touchy. He might have been foreshadow moving an amendment to the Bill at involved with that. the Committee stage to the effect that, in the case of Warwick, Rosenthal, Glengallan and Allora Shires, this House amends the Act so that 22 February 1994 7060 Legislative Assembly there is a referendum in that area and the people the committee. The parliamentary committee was are listened to. The Opposition will be not aware of the problem at the time. supporting that amendment. I refer the House to my speech on 28 April Arguments still have not been advanced 1992. That five-minute speech related to Mr J. with regard to the supposed economic benefits Amprimo, who had made a submission to the of amalgamation of those particular shires. As I parliamentary committee. I drew the attention of said, a case went before the courts with regard to the House to a Mr J. Rimo, who also made a the way in which this matter was conducted. The submission to the committee. I draw the Rosenthal Shire Council won that particular case. attention of the House to this matter because The Minister indicated in the House that he will the parliamentary committee quoted Mr J. Rimo trample over those people. as part of its case for forcing an amalgamation of Mr Mackenroth: No, I never. Rosenthal Shire with the other shires. That statement portrayed the view that Rosenthal was Mr FITZGERALD: The Minister said that it a very uncooperative shire. I draw it to the will go ahead as sure as the sun rising in the attention of the House because it came to my morning. Over 80 per cent of people in those notice that Mr Rimo's signature was very similar to shires want to vote at a referendum, but this Mr Amprimo's signature. The same address was Government will not allow that. given for both persons. Mr Mackenroth: I'm not going to trample I will not go through that speech, but I will over them. I'll do it gently. say that I tabled the signature of Mr Rimo and Mr FITZGERALD: I certainly will take that parts of the handwritten letter by Mr Rimo. That interjection. I note that the member for Warwick letter was not approved for tabling in this House will relay that message to people in his because the committee considered that letter electorate. The members for Mulgrave and defamatory in some way. The parliamentary Barron River should also pass on that message committee did not wish to give a possibly to their constituents. If they fail to do so, the defamatory letter the privilege of this Parliament. member for Warwick should pass on to other When I raised the matter of privilege, I tabled the shires which are in exactly the same position the commencement of that letter and the signature message that this Government will not trample at the bottom of it. over them with jackboots; it will trample over This House will recall that I wrote to the them gently, but it will get its own way. I wonder council to discover whether there was a Mr Rimo. whether they will still love the Minister in the He claimed that he was a ratepayer. I received a morning. letter saying that there was no such person We have seen the move in other States there. I raised a matter of privilege on this towards dividing up large councils. Whether particular issue—and it is relevant to dividing them up is right or wrong, the people are Rosenthal—on 17 June 1992, and this House asking—and it is being asked continually by agreed with me. It considered the matter so people in the Warwick, Rosenthal, Glengallan serious that it referred it to the Privileges and Allora Shires—whether those councils are Committee for its investigation, consideration going to be more economically viable. In and report. The committee did not report back, Western Australia there is a proposal to move presumably because Parliament was prorogued. towards smaller city councils, obviously with the The matter disappeared from its agenda. I am not idea of increasing efficiency. That has to be aware whether it has been put back on the considered. agenda. That is up to the committee. One other matter that I wish to raise, which I Dr Watson: It's a different Parliament. It have spoken about before, relates to the has to be put back on by this Parliament—the evidence that was relied on by EARC in parliamentary committee. recommending amalgamation of the Warwick City Mr FITZGERALD: I am giving notice that I Council with the Glengallan, Allora and will be moving for it to be reconsidered because Rosenthal Shire Councils. EARC called for a very serious matter has arisen. I raised the submissions, and when it handed its report to issue of whether Mr Rimo and Mr Amprimo, both the parliamentary committee, the parliamentary of whom gave evidence against Rosenthal, were committee called for further submissions. This one and the same person. Mr Amprimo was a House will recall that after the parliamentary Water Resources officer at Warwick at the time. committee reported to the Parliament on the On 3 February and 4 February, in Warwick, the amalgamation of these shires, I drew a matter to DPI took R. M. M. and M. L. Reynolds to court in the attention of this Parliament by way of a matter regard to an irrigation licence. In evidence, Mr of privilege. In a speech in this House, I raised Amprimo, who is a former district officer for Water the issue of some of the evidence relied on by Resources in that area, was cross-examined. Legislative Assembly 7061 22 February 1994

Eventually, the matter was thrown out of court. It as proof that Rosenthal Shire should be was thrown out of court because of tainted amalgamated with those other shires. Of course, evidence. That is how the Warwick Daily Mail a couple of members, including myself, referred to it. An article in that newspaper dissented from that report. We are proud to say states— we dissented from that report. We stand by the "In Warwick Magistrates Court fact that we dissented from it. yesterday a Water Resources Commission Mr Beattie: Did you know he was a fraud? charge against Elbow Valley property owner Mr FITZGERALD: We did not know that Ross Reynolds was withdrawn, on the Mr Rimo was Mr Amprimo. That only came out in grounds that the case was 'tainted'. court the other day. This House sent the matter Mr Reynolds had been charged with off to the parliamentary Privileges Committee. At 'failing to allow water to pass downstream an appropriate time, I will be writing to Mr Speaker . . . and suggesting that the matter be considered further. Crown Law solicitor Col Owens said there had been significant discrepancies of The whole issue of the amalgamation of the fact throughout the case." Warwick, Glengallan, Allora and Rosenthal Shires is tainted. The people in those areas want a Today, I draw to the attention of the House referendum to decide whether the shires should the fact that, as I understand it, it was stated in be amalgamated. The evidence is tainted by an evidence—I do not have a transcript in front of admitted liar. Therefore, on behalf of those me—that Mr Reynolds wrote to the Water shires, I plead with this House to allow them to Resources Commission making a complaint. Mr decide on the evidence whether they wish to be Amprimo later received a letter from Mr Casey amalgamated or not to be amalgamated. I will be asking him if he had acted upon a complaint. moving an amendment at the Committee stage That was many months after the first complaint to the effect that this Parliament approve of a was lodged. In court, Mr Amprimo said that he referendum to enable those shires to decide for had acted promptly. The Honourable Mr Casey themselves whether they should be responded to Mr Reynolds, saying that the amalgamated. Will my amendment be accepted? matter had been acted on promptly. It came out Or will the legislation of the Minister for Local in evidence that the council had discovered Government, who will be walking all over the through an FOI search that Mr Amprimo, the councils with his soft shoes, be accepted? I warn Water Resources officer, had received the Queenslanders that this is what is going to complaint from Mr Reynolds, signed it, made happen to the other shires throughout notations upon the letter and filed it. He later Queensland if they do not support me on this lied, I contend, in a letter to his Minister and particular issue. advised him that he had acted promptly. Before that court, Mr Amprimo admitted that he was Mr Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) Rimo, and that he had put in a false submission (12.40 p.m.) I rise today to support the Local to the parliamentary committee. He had signed Government Legislative Amendment Bill 1994 the letter as Mr Amprimo, the Water Resources and in doing so I want to deal with some matters officer. Under cross-examination, he said that he involving the Rosenthal Shire. I was interested in had also signed a letter as Mr J. Rimo because the comments of the honourable member for he wanted to put in a private submission, or Lockyer. As honourable members know, the Bill something along those lines. He lied and has three major sections. I will deal firstly with the deceived the parliamentary EARC committee. part that amends the Local Government Act 1993. The Explanatory Notes state that the Mr Elliott: And the Minister. objective of that part of the Bill is— Mr FITZGERALD: He also lied to the "to postpone the 1994 triennial elections Minister. No wonder the prosecutor wanted to for the Warwick City Council and the Allora, fold the case quickly and pay all the costs! I will Glengallan and Rosenthal Shire Councils; not go into that. to correct minor omissions made to the I understand that there might be other court consequential amendments to the Building cases in relation to this matter of a private Act 1975 contained in the Schedule to the nature—a defamation case, or something similar. Local Government Act 1993." I do not want to canvass that issue. I question the credibility of Mr Rimo, Mr Amprimo, and the I shall begin with the provision that letters to the parliamentary committee damning postpones the elections for the four local the Rosenthal Shire Council as being authorities. I cannot let this matter pass without uncooperative. That evidence was quoted in the making some comments about the Rosenthal parliamentary committee's report to this House Shire Council. I was intrigued, to say the least, to 22 February 1994 7062 Legislative Assembly hear the Chairman of the Rosenthal Shire then took the Local Government Commissioner Council, Jim Mitchell, when he was speaking at a to the Supreme Court because he had changed recent meeting of the Local Government the boundaries in the way in which the shire Association in Toowoomba, say that he had council wanted him to! The Supreme Court enjoyed the past 45 years in local government overturned the Local Government until the socialists arrived on the scene. He said Commissioner's report because he had that he had not enjoyed the past few years. In breached the technicality of not readvertising a fact, he said that everything was working well substantive change to the internal boundaries. until democracy was thrown out the window with The Rosenthal Shire Council election has now the introduction of one vote, one value. One can been postponed. Greg Hoffman consulted with understand why one of the most difficult the Rosenthal Shire Council and basically gave it portfolios in the Ministry is that of the Minister for what it wanted. In turn, the council trotted off to Local Government. I applaud the Minister's court and used the fact that Greg Hoffman efforts in that portfolio. changed the boundaries to have the decision Another difficult job is that of Local quashed. Government Commissioner. The honourable Mr FitzGerald: Was the decision correct member for Lockyer raised a number of issues or not? and did a lot of jumping up and down. However, Mr BEATTIE: The member can look he needs to understand the difficulties of the unhappy, but I must say that it is a bit rough. task—— Mr Elliott interjected. Dr Watson: Do you support the amalgamations? Mr BEATTIE: The member is grinning. He knows that it is a bit rough. Greg Hoffman, the Mr BEATTIE: Indeed I do, and I am happy poor beggar, tried to do the right thing. He went to talk about the subject at any time. The through the consultation process. He listened to member should know about it, because the the council, then it did him over in the court on a Liberal Party, which has nine members in this technicality—all because he listened to what it place, suffered more than any other party under said. I think that is a bit rough. I wanted to place the gerrymander. For years, they were a pack of those matters on the record so that there is a wimps. They slithered around, and were not clear understanding of what occurred in regard prepared to stand up to Joh. to the Rosenthal Shire. If Greg Hoffman had left Mr Campbell: Do you remember the interim internal boundaries as they were, the Kingaroy? In that shire, if you were in a country Supreme Court would not have overturned his division, you had 27 times the voting power than recommendation. He would not have been if you lived in the town—27 times! bludgeoned in the way that he was, and his Mr BEATTIE: That was the anomaly that recommendation would have stood. existed. Mr T. B. Sullivan: Unaltered. Mr T. B. Sullivan: And the Liberal Party Mr BEATTIE: The boundaries would have was used to one vote, one member. remained unaltered. They would not have been Mr BEATTIE: That is right. As members overturned by the Supreme Court. would know, there are nine Liberals and nine I turn to another matter that relates to the factions. I want to say a couple of other things Brisbane City Council and the conduct of about the Rosenthal Shire Council because if we elections for that council. The Explanatory Note are going to debate this issue, the facts need to states— be put in context. "Under the City of Brisbane Act 1924, Mr J. N. Goss interjected. all the provisions of the Electoral Act 1992, Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member is so far as they can be applied, are applicable in a faction of his own. With his new beard, no- to the conduct of every Brisbane City one will join him at dinner, either. Greg Hoffman, Council election." the Local Government Commissioner, In a nutshell, that means that the town clerk is the recommended interim internal boundaries for chief returning officer. This Bill confirms what has the Rosenthal Shire, which were displayed for been the case for some time, and it is a sensible everyone to see. The Rosenthal Shire Council position to which no-one has objected. I notice objected to those interim internal boundaries. that the Opposition spokesman was supportive Consequently, Greg Hoffman, the Local of it. However, in passing I want to make a couple Government Commissioner, who took into of general comments about the conduct of account what the Rosenthal Shire Council said, elections for the Brisbane City Council. We all changed them. The Rosenthal Shire Council know that the task of a returning officer is very Legislative Assembly 7063 22 February 1994 difficult. In recent times, the Local Government top all the gimmicks that I have heard. This is a Act and general electoral legislation in this State real doozey, to say the least. Nobody—and I have changed in relation to electoral visitor and would be interested to hear the Liberal members postal votes. In this 1994 local government in this House support it—with any brains would election in Brisbane, there was still some support an Amsterdam-style operation in confusion about the appropriate date from which Fortitude Valley. I certainly do not, and I hope electoral visitor votes and postal vote that every member of this House would not applications could be taken. I urge the town clerk support it. I can see the honourable member for to study carefully what happened in this election Aspley grinning. I invite him at any time during to ensure that, in future council elections, there the next few days to indicate his support for his is no confusion. In the past, people who have Liberal Party colleague, who is running for the taken electoral visitor application forms, and who ward of Central, and to say that he wants have signed and dated them before the date Amsterdam in downtown Fortitude Valley. that they were able to do so, have been An honourable member: It would be charged. We all want to avoid that situation the real lowlands, wouldn't it? occurring again. As we know, at the last State election a new system was implemented, and it Mr BEATTIE: It would be more than the was quite successful. real lowlands. Mr T. B. Sullivan: Very successful. Earlier today, I was with the Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, Mr Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. It was Braddy, at the reopening of the refurbished very successful. The same rules apply at the Fortitude Valley Police Station. I am delighted council level but, because it is a new system, with the money that the State Government has there will inevitably be some confusion. My contributed to its refurbishment. Such criticism is not too harsh, but in a gentle way—if I constructions are important in helping the police can put it like that—I say that we need to be more to deal with crime. I put on record my careful and distribute more thoroughly a appreciation of the Minister's visit to my timetable for the taking and lodgment of electoral electorate today and for his presence at that visitor and postal votes. As we all know, that reopening. program was published for the last State election, and it was also published for the Mr Mackenroth: Those police don't look Federal election. after Rosenthal, do they? I should say that, unlike suggestions that Mr BEATTIE: No, but maybe they could have been made previously, there has been spend a little time there, because from what I consultation with the Brisbane City Council and have heard, a few matters are in need of the Local Government Association in relation to investigation. this Bill, and they are supportive of it. The Bill As to the general issue of building—I also amends the Local Government Act 1993 to believe that adequate bushland areas have to be correct minor omissions made to the left in place. One of the real pluses for the City of consequential amendments to the Building Act Brisbane is that it has significant bushland areas. 1975. The Brisbane City Council has allocated $20m I turn to the subject of building approvals. I for buying bushland in order to save it. Over the was intrigued to read on the weekend that the past three years, through the use of vegetation Liberal Party aldermanic candidate for Central protection ordinances and conservation zones, had the audacity to suggest that she wanted to the Soorley administration has protected a see operating in Fortitude Valley, which is in my significant part of the bushland heritage of this electorate, an Amsterdam-style red-light district, city. Honourable members should remember which would be used to attract tourists from that under the Liberal Party, on average, overseas. Brisbane lost three football fields of bushland a day. Between 1985 and 1991, Brisbane lost 45 Mr Campbell: That's shameful. per cent of its prime koala habitat. Also, $39m Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. worth of council-owned bushland was sold. Indeed, it is shocking. I want to say very clearly to Good bushland was swapped for parks under Mrs Susie Coburn that if she thinks that she is powerlines. The then council had no going to have Amsterdam-style prostitution in commitment to either the environment or to the downtown Fortitude Valley, she has a real lifestyles of its citizens. problem on her hands. The lady lives at New We are taking about the need for sensible Farm. If such an idea became reality, she would building requirements. We need to make certain not know what hit her. I know that during election that building is carried out in an aesthetic way to campaigns there are gimmicks, but this has to reflect the heritage of this proud city of ours. 22 February 1994 7064 Legislative Assembly

That means that we protect our bushland so that, of every State Government in Australia except at the end of the day, the quality of life and the the Queensland Government. That is how good lifestyle of all people who live in this city is it is. something of which we are all proud. Mrs Edmond: What about that I wish to make a general reference to the rubbish—that misleading rubbish— that the thrust of what the Opposition spokesman was Liberal Party is putting out? saying. He was implying that the Labor Party had Mr BEATTIE: It is simply for election been pushing amalgamations in local authorities purposes. There is no credibility or truth to it for party political reasons—as some attempt to whatsoever. I am glad that the member raised get at the National Party. We would expect the that issue. I will provide the House with some Opposition to try to politicise this debate—as it statistics. The Brisbane City Council's operating does every local government debate. If we are surplus compared with interest—that is, interest sensible about the operation of local repayment costs—is 1.83. Only the Queensland government, which we all know is a very Government, as I said, does better in its debt important level of government—it is very close to management. Its ratio is 3.1. The New South the people—we have to look at what is in the Wales State Government comes in at 1.6. The best interests of Queensland and at what is in worst ratio is that of Victoria's, at 0.9. So all of the the best interests of the local communities. conservative States in Australia, all of the If, after a consultative process, the Local National Party and Liberal Party States, have a Government Commissioner makes worse management record than that of the recommendations, I do not think we should Brisbane City Council—and certainly a worse immediately attack them and throw the whole management record than that of this State process out the door. We need to look at a Government. Yet we hear Bob Ward and the sensible arrangement for the efficient Liberal Party running around—— administration of local governments. Building Mr T. B. Sullivan: Bob who? issues, cost structures, loan management, income from ratepayers and so on—and it is Mr BEATTIE: Bob who? The secret, much broader than that—have to be examined invisible man: we only see him at night. He is carefully. No-one can turn this issue into a running round—and seeing Bob Ward at night political exercise unless he is absolutely would be a frightful experience—attacking the determined to do so. The independent Local Brisbane City Council. He is trying for political Government Commissioner, Greg Hoffman—a reasons to create—to manufacture—a man who is well regarded and respected by all perception in the community that there is some sides of politics—has been doing a very difficult mismanagement at City Hall. There is not. If we job very well. He deserves support from all were to look at the record of the Sallyanne political parties for the work that he is seeking to Atkinson administration, we would see that it was do. He should not be denigrated for political in the process of sending the city into a parlous reasons. I am not suggesting that the financial state. The expenditure of the last honourable member went that far, but some Liberal Party administration in City Hall was a members seek to do so. disgrace. Mr Fitzgerald: I certainly did not. Mr J. N. Goss: You don't really believe this, do you? Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection so that the honourable member's position is on the Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member record. There are some who, for political for Aspley was an alderman on the council. I do purposes, want to denigrate the role played by not know why he did not do more while he was the Local Government Commissioner. That is there. I can understand why the member for very unfortunate. We would all agree that the job Indooroopilly and he got out. Of course, they got of independent Local Government out while the going was good. Brisbane's total Commissioner is one of the toughest jobs in indebtedness is $1.115 billion, which is $3,969 Queensland. per property—of which there are 281 000—or $1,484.9 per capita. In 1969-70, Brisbane's total I will conclude my remarks today by referring indebtedness was $1.05 billion. Back then there to one other issue. Having referred to the were 202 000 properties. Per property, the debt stability of local government—I am delighted to was $5,203. So the debt situation back in note the strong financial position of the Brisbane 1969-70 was worse than it is now. City Council. It has one of the most impressive debt management ratios of any local government Two things are clear: firstly, debt is no in the world. If we were to examine the Brisbane higher in today's dollars than it was in 1969-70. City Council's ability to cover loan repayments, Secondly, because we have 38 per cent more we would note that its capacity is superior to that Legislative Assembly 7065 22 February 1994 ratepayers, the debt per property has dropped once again, this Government is determined to by over $1,200 to $3,969. continue to attack rural and provincial Mr J. N. Goss interjected. Queensland and ride roughshod over the will of the people. A series of unofficial polls has been Mr BEATTIE: I will tell the honourable conducted about how the people of those member about the Liberal's last budget. The shires feel about amalgamation. Those polls former Liberal council borrowed almost $120m in illustrate that the people are overwhelmingly today's dollars. In Soorley's first budget, the opposed to it. Why is this Government council borrowed slightly more—$124m. In the determined to implement that recommendation current budget year, 1993-94, the council is of the Local Government Commissioner? projected to borrow about $115m. So the figure is lower. It is $5m less than the previous The Premier of this State has admitted that administration's last budget. So Soorley is the Labor Government has not been kind to the borrowing less than Atkinson did. It is worth rural and provincial regions of this State and has putting on the record that the city is being well been less than generous with the services run. This scurrilous campaign by the Liberal Party provided to those regions. Let it be quite clear is nothing more than a cheap political stunt for that the Premier was not referring only to small election purposes—a little like the Liberal Party bush towns. The same can be said for every candidate for the seat of Central wanting to have other region of this State beyond the south-east an Amsterdam-style red-light brothel district in corner. That is the nub of the problem. This is a the Valley, with girls on display behind glass. south-east corner Government. It holds its That is as big a stunt as the Liberal Party's stunt majority by controlling the seats in that area. in attacking the management of finances at City Through the attitude that it has displayed on the Hall. We can do without such stunts. I believe issue of local authority amalgamations, the that the people of Brisbane, on election day, will Government has demonstrated clearly that it is make a very clear judgment and return the not interested in what happens outside the present administration. south-east corner. As long as it is able to hold the seats in the south-east corner, the I will conclude by saying that this Bill is a Government will be fine. positive one. I congratulate the Minister on these initiatives. I hope that other National Party There is an old saying: to the victor goes the speakers in this debate will adopt a positive, spoils. That has been the attitude of this constructive approach and not attack the Local Government. A perusal of old Hansard records Government Commissioner, Greg Hoffman, reveals the tone of the interjections by various simply for party political reasons. Government members. They have the attitude, "You fellows can cop it. It was handed out to us Mr Vaughan: And tell the truth. 25 years ago, and we will get back at you now." Mr BEATTIE: And I hope they will tell the Those types of interjections illustrate the attitude truth. of this Government. Time expired. The Labor Party came to power claiming that Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m. it would be a reformist and consultative Government. As I was reminded earlier by my Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (2.30 p.m.): I colleague the member for Warwick, this rise to participate in the debate on the Local Government displays no more than a pretence at Government Legislation Amendment Bill. I want consultation. I thought that the member for to refer to the proposed amalgamation of various Warwick expressed that point very succinctly. local government authorities, which could affect This Government does not care about the shires of Clifton and Cambooya in my consultation at all. It mouths platitudes and then, electorate. As members are aware, in the when it gets into trouble, it sends out the old adjoining electorate of Warwick, the City of warhorse—good old Burnsy, the Honourable Warwick and the Shires of Rosenthal, Allora and the Deputy Premier. When in trouble, this Glengallan are under a cloud because of a Government calls for Tom. However, he is just proposed amalgamation. about history. He is starting to wear a bit thin I turn to the agenda being run by the Goss around the edges. I do not know what the ALP Government. Recently, the Premier Government will do when it cannot send Tom to admitted that there has been an all-out attack on put out its bushfires. No Government members rural and provincial areas. He is visiting have the ability to do it. Mundubbera and other places to apologise for Mr Turner: Did you hear what he said the actions of this Government. In the case of about daylight saving? the proposed amalgamation of the local authorities to which I referred, it seems that, Mr ELLIOTT: The comments made by Mr Burns about daylight saving were interesting. As 22 February 1994 7066 Legislative Assembly

I reminded people in my electorate, what Mr I have no qualms about subdividing high, Burns did in this House when it came time to ridgy country which has very little potential for vote was contrary to what he was telling people agricultural development. Obviously, people in the bush. have to live somewhere. Unless our society is Mr Turner: Wasn't that the same as what prepared to say, "No, you cannot live on he did when he was Leader of the Opposition acreage; you will have to live in high-rises to over the electricity acquisition? ensure that we do not waste any land", we must allow people to choose. However, I believe that Mr ELLIOTT: Exactly. If ever there was a councils have an obligation to ensure that the hypocritical action, it was when Labor was in agricultural land in their areas is maintained. Opposition and the Honourable Tom Burns voted against the equalisation of electricity In the Clifton Shire, which adjoins the tariffs. I note that the Minister who is responsible Cambooya Shire, there has been a lot of for the electricity authority is present in the consternation over that issue. One has to give Chamber. the Chairman of the Clifton Shire Council, Ian Jones, full marks for having the intestinal Mr Randell: Mr Burns led his party out of fortitude to decree a minimum subdivisional area Parliament that day. of 500 acres in an area in which many of the Mr ELLIOTT: That is right; I remember it blocks are much smaller than that. In some well. respects, Mr Jones may have gone a little I led a deputation to attempt to solve the overboard. In that shire, some titles predate problems being experienced in respect of the 1901. Therefore, the council may be impeding North West County Council and SEQEB. The people's private property rights. People have Minister, Tony McGrady, indicated to that purchased various plots of land that have a deputation that he would be making predetermined subdivisional capacity. I hold representations on their behalf in an attempt to some concern about that principle. Regardless solve those problems. I raised the matter also of that, one must take one's hat off to that man. with the paragon of virtue for rural areas, the He is the sort of person who just gets in and Honourable the Deputy Premier. He said that he does what needs to be done. If something would also look into the matter and try to do needs to be done, often people such as Ian something about it. Unfortunately, in respect of Jones are placed in the position of having to do this issue, the Labor Ministers tend to mirror one it. Quite frankly, he took on a shire with a lot of another. I will be very interested to see whether debt. I believe we will see him reduce that debt that problem is resolved. There is an old saying markedly over the next few years. I think that will that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. be a good thing. One would hope that, in respect of that problem, The Darling Downs has seen a number of the consultation undertaken by the Government councillors join the shires. I know that Councillor will be superior to that undertaken in respect of Peter Taylor came in and made his attitude very local authority amalgamations. plain to everyone. He said that if people voted Quite frankly, the Government is riding for him, they could expect him to curtail services roughshod over the opinions of the people who to a fairly drastic level to ensure that the debts of will be affected by the proposed local authority the shire reduced drastically. If that debt is not amalgamations. I cite as an example Clifton and reduced, in the end a great percentage of Cambooya. This Government believes that it is a ratepayers' money goes purely and simply into great idea to amalgamate the Clifton and servicing interest. There cannot be any great Cambooya Shires. Let us consider the effect value in that unless one is utilising it by that that would have on a ratepayer in the borrowing in today's dollar terms in inflationary Cambooya Shire. That shire has very little debt. It time. has adopted a course of subdividing large Unfortunately, many of those shires have agricultural blocks to be used for rural residential allowed their debt to get a little out of hand. Many purposes. Personally, I do not agree with that of the chairmen who have surfaced in the last decision. In the future, the world will be faced few years—I am not particularly talking about with food shortages. In light of that scenario, I do Councillor Peter Taylor; he has been there quite not believe that it is appropriate to subdivide a long time—have done their job and attacked good agricultural land for residential purposes. debt. Being an environmentalist, a farmer and I think it is important to understand the someone who has a long history of being history of these shires over the last 20 years. interested in the land, such subdivision runs Where they have come from and where they are against everything for which I stand. going to should be understood. If we look at the history of Clifton and Cambooya, we see that it Legislative Assembly 7067 22 February 1994 indicates very clearly that to amalgamate those Mr ELLIOTT: I take that interjection. It is two shires would be like putting chalk and my job to stand up here and espouse the cheese together. The shire councils in those aspirations and the needs of those people areas have a very different attitude to what is whom I represent. It does not always necessarily taking place. follow that I have to agree 100 per cent with Mr Stoneman: That would leave a better those needs and aspirations. In this case, I do, taste in your mouth than this Government, and that is a luxury. The honourable member though. knows that, in common with the rest of us, if he is doing his job properly, he has to come in here Mr ELLIOTT: The honourable member and represent his constituents with an honest could be right. Those shires are definitely poles belief of their needs and aspirations. I know that apart in their attitude to how they see their shires Government members do not do that. They being developed. There is also a great come in here and push the caucus line. difference in the position of their indebtedness. However, the Opposition runs a very different How will the Government amalgamate those two operation. We represent those areas and it is up shires? Who is going to pick up the tab? Will the to us to support the aspirations of our Government have separate rate bases so that it constituents. can continue to penalise people in the old shire to repay the debt and have a benefited area in Mr J. H. Sullivan: You don't believe that, the other shire where people pay less rates? and nobody else believes it, either. What is the Government going to do about Mr ELLIOTT: What I suggest to the services and the various amenities? honourable member is that he get out of his ivory The whole process causes huge problems tower and travel to some of the rural areas and in a practical and logistical sense. If the talk to people at a grassroots level. Government is not careful, it will see huge Mr Stoneman: They would get lost. discontent in respect of it. I certainly do not Mr ELLIOTT: He might get lost, but support the amalgamation of shires. The only maybe not. Pat Comben is the one who used to way I will support amalgamation is if the public, get lost. It was in the electorate of the member that is, the ratepayers of those shires, have a for Chermside that Mr Comben got lost. It is referendum and they vote unanimously to necessary for Government members to go into support such an amalgamation. rural Queensland, to talk to the people and listen Mr Stoneman: But that is called to them so that they understand what those democracy. people really want. Mr ELLIOTT: This Government does not I believe that this is just a further know a lot about democracy, unfortunately. The exacerbation of the present problem. The Government needs to demonstrate that the Premier has outlined and admitted in this place amalgamation will provide a tangible financial what he wants to do. The Government says that benefit to the people of those two shires, or the it provides extensive consultation before making four shires in the case of Warwick. The decisions. Sure enough, it undertakes Government needs to demonstrate that there consultation, but in the end it does what it set are benefits to be gained. After it has done out to do. It does this under the guise of this—if it can—perhaps people might be consultation. It says, "You had your consultation. agreeable to it. That is not what is happening You had your opportunity. We have not now. These amalgamations will be pushed down necessarily listened to you, but at least we gave our necks, the same way as we have had the you the opportunity to have some input." That is hospital boards, the ambulance service and the the way it works here in this State. People are fire brigade pushed down our neck. We will be starting to realise that that is exactly how it works. told to like it or lump it. Is it any wonder that the They will see it demonstrated ably again in Premier had to go to Mundubbera and apologise respect of the local authorities. This Government to the public for what this Government has will live to regret its actions in this regard. done? Will the Government continue down this In the last few minutes that I have, I ask the local government road and upset another huge Minister for Minerals and Energy to look seriously section of society? I do not know how many at the problem that I outlined earlier in respect of people the Labor Party thinks it will have left on those local government areas along the border. side by the time it finishes attacking people in There is a serious problem there. The particular rural and provincial areas. enterprise outlined to the Minister had to pay a Mr J. H. Sullivan: You don't believe that, $25,000 capital contribution towards an or you wouldn't be complaining about it. enterprise close to Goondiwindi, whereas a similar one in the SWQEB area near Millmerran 22 February 1994 7068 Legislative Assembly had to pay what Paddy shot at—precisely Mr Springborg: I think one of the nothing! backbench members of the Labor Party said he All the residents near Goondiwindi were was. required to do was give a guarantee that they Mr STONEMAN: I noted that Mr Dollin would use a certain amount of power. The said that Councillor Pyne is a member of the people near Goondiwindi were perfectly National Party. That gives members an idea of prepared to give a guarantee that they would the feeling within the Labor Party about a man use that amount of power because they would who knows local government backwards, speaks use far in excess of the normal power his mind and tries to do the best by it. So if he requirements of most average outfits that hook opposes that bunch on the other side of the up to the SWQEB or to the North West County House, they say that he may as well be a member Council. I ask the Minister to look at that because of the National Party. Mr Dollin says that he is. it appears that nothing is being done about it. Mr J. H. Sullivan: Mr Stoneman—— There is very serious disquiet about it. With those few words, I hand over some time to other Mr STONEMAN: I will come to the members. honourable member later. As to the dissension that those sorts of decisions are creating—I refer Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (2.48 p.m.): It to the editorial in today's Townsville Bulletin is interesting that the Government does not which talks about restoring trust. It is based on seem to have been able to dredge up any the incredible situation that this State saw at the speakers with any knowledge of the problems weekend, when the Premier wandered around confronting shires such as Warwick, Glengallan, with a huge tissue wiping away crocodile tears Allora and Rosenthal. It is interesting that the saying, "I am sorry we were naughty, and we will only Government speaker on the list was Mr do better next time." As a result of the Premier's Beattie. I suppose that the people in those statement about looking forward to better things, shires will not be very much comforted by the that editorial states in part— fact that although Mr Beattie at least had a go, the Government is not interested enough to put "Among them: recognition that the a case for its continuing steamrollering of local State's south-east corner is not the centre government. I think that the Opposition's of the State, let alone of the universe; proposed amendments are not only realistic but I appreciation that Queensland's real wealth would also look forward to having them comes from its country regions, not from the supported by enough Government members to tarted-up counting house that is Brisbane; get some common sense into this Bill. an end to treating country people as dribbling yahoos who can be kept happy by Broadly speaking, of course, the Bill would Deputy Premier Tom Burns putting on his be able to be supported with the exception of big hat and elastic-sided boots and going that section relating to the southern downs around the traps telling jokes; and . . . the shires. I take the point made by the member for list could go on and on." Cunningham in respect of the shires, lack of trust of the Government and the decimation by this That is absolutely and utterly true, but the elastic Government of many services and structures. on the side of the Deputy Premier's boots has The Local Government Act has been one of the gone very sloppy, and his hat has a few bullet great farces of the so-called democratic process. holes in it. There is a wide degree of unhappiness across The editorial states further— this State. Some local authorities have basically accepted amalgamation but, by and large, there "The oddest sidetrack on Mr Goss's has been angst everywhere in this State in road to Damascus via Rockhampton was his relation to any forced amalgamation or partial quick visit to Monto, whose citizens don't amalgamation. There is a great deal of fear being believe they will see again the $200,000 generated in many communities that face the they had laboriously raised for a new spectre of future amalgamation. I think ambulance station only to have it whipped particularly of comments made by Councillor Tom away into some account in Brisbane. He was Pyne in Mulgrave, who really should be a surprised that the people of Monto didn't member of the National Party. trust the Government and the bureaucracy to spend the money on Monto's Mr Dollin: He is. ambulance." Mr STONEMAN: He is a member of the That is what we are talking about in this Bill. We Labor Party. One wonders why Councillor Pyne are talking about a trust that has been betrayed. has not seen the light. We are talking about the waste of thousands of man-hours, woman-hours and, if members insist, Legislative Assembly 7069 22 February 1994 person-hours. I hope that members opposite government level. I do not say I would vote for listened to the big rubbishing that they got today him, but at least he has had experience at the from John Laws. Wow! Did he give politically local government level—as has his colleague, correct speak a working over! who is learning a few tricks from the Government Mr Springborg: That happens on John Whip. Maybe a change is imminent. Laws every day. Those members, and a number of others in this Chamber, have had local government Mr STONEMAN: Yes. He said, "Wayne experience at least to some degree. Sadly, the Goss, wear this. How are you going to get out of Local Government Commissioner, who is no this one?" doubt a well-meaning person, has never been a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): local government representative or worked at Order! I remind the honourable member for the cutting edge of local government. One of Burdekin of the provisions of Standing Order the reasons that this issue is all fouled up is that 141, as I reminded the honourable member for in the real sense Mr Hoffman does not know Lockyer. I shall not tolerate any further deviation what representation is all about. He has had to from the debate before the House. follow the dictates of his political masters in this instance and continues to be force-fed. Mr STONEMAN: All of this points to the farce that has become the Local Government Act Mr McElligott: He had 21 years in local because of a refusal by the Government to government. reflect what the people are saying. I believe that Mr STONEMAN: I do not care how long it all of these issues are perfect examples of how was. There is a difference between sitting the Government has run off the rails. The behind a bureaucratic desk and sitting on the legislation was a farce from the start. Force will other side in a representative capacity, because never be accepted by the people. We cannot there one has a direct responsibility to the force-feed people. The old adage that you can people—as did the member for Thuringowa, and lead a horse to water but you cannot make him he still does now. It is quite different when there drink is as true today as it was when it was is a shock absorber of representatives between coined, and it is particularly true in respect of one and the people. local government. Local government councillors deal with People throughout this State will not be clerks and other officers in the administration of satisfied with the processes that are local government on a day-to-day basis, but at encompassed within the principles of this the end of the day all the decisions are made by legislation. In effect, it states, "Even if we get it the elected representatives. That is why the legally wrong, we will redress that and continue history of local government commissions and to force-feed by way of amending legislation." forced amalgamations has been doomed when That is quite ludicrous. In the Warwick area, no they have been led by people other than those cost-benefit analysis was ever undertaken, just with representative experience and when the as no cost-benefit analysis was done anywhere people have been force-fed. It is quite clear that else in this State. in Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand and Under the Local Government Act, a piece of in other places the very same situation applies. Giru, which was previously in Thuringowa, was Sadly, that is the situation we are facing now. placed in Burdekin. The local government Mr McElligott: The Mayor of Cooloola people in the Burdekin do not know what the thinks it is a great idea now. cost impact of that move will be. The people of Mr STONEMAN: I am sure that there are Thuringowa, which has now become a section of numerous examples of how benefits that would Townsville, do not know what the cost of that not otherwise have been available are created move will be. I know that the honourable member when an amalgamation has taken place. But for Thuringowa is a supporter of amalgamation. there must be a careful balance of education and At least he has been consistent and has stayed a cost-benefit analysis, because the first thing on track in respect of his support for that people want to know is what the real cost amalgamation. Although we all know that this was benefits will be to the various shires involved. because he knew that Alderman Mooney would No-one knows that. But in New Zealand, where a get done like a duck dinner if there was an similar situation prevailed when Sir Brian Ellwood amalgamation, and then the honourable member was the commissioner, under the law a would retire from this House and become the cost-benefit analysis had to be carried out. In Labor Party candidate at the next council those circumstances, people soon make up their election. He would have made a good local own minds. They understand that, if there is a authority representative because he knows what benefit, that benefit can be applied. Here, that it is like to be a representative at the local 22 February 1994 7070 Legislative Assembly has no such application. There is no process that the honourable member knows the truth. whereby the people of Warwick, Glengallan, She has to try to divert me little. Allora or Rosenthal have any idea of that benefit. I want to return to the two points that must Fortunately, by something of a Freudian slip, be remembered. Firstly, no forced they have escaped the net. It is up to this House, amalgamations have ever worked. They tear by agreeing to the foreshadowed amendments, apart the communities. The structures that have to allow them have a referendum. The been built up within them are torn apart. The commissioner can provide a cost-benefit analysis increased fragility of businesses right across the to show them how they will actually benefit, communities places them in even more rather than saying, "Well, in Brisbane they think it jeopardy. That becomes even more apparent in is a good idea, and we have decided that big is the smaller and close-knit communities. better." Secondly, no commissioner without That is a lot of rot because those representative experience has gained the communities have much of their economy, and acceptance and trust of the people whom he is certainly their history, based on their capacity to forcing to amalgamate. That is a clear fact. relate to a central area of their own communities. I think that really covers the large majority of They are represented by people who know the what I wanted to say on this. A lot of areas have communities. It could well be that, once they are been canvassed already. I certainly support the aware of all the facts, that they would decide amendment put forward under Mr FitzGerald's through a referendum that they would be better name. It is absolutely relevant to this situation. It off to amalgamate. They may decide that. As it is would be wonderful for the Government to grasp now, they are being told, "You will be forced to this opportunity and agree to the amendments amalgamate. You will be forced." No-one—not and show that it cares for democracy and place the Minister and much less anyone else—can go some substance on the Premier's comments last out to those areas and say to those people, week when he said, "We have done the wrong "This is the way you will benefit. This is why you thing in the bush." Of course, the Opposition will be better off with your rates and all of those has known that for years. A wave is moving right other things." No-one has done that study. That across the State and at the peak of that wave is is and outrage, regardless of whether or not by the concern in local government about what is accident, as the member for Thuringowa has happening to an institution that has stood the said, there are people who are happy. There will test of time and that has served the people be people who are happy. The fact of the matter magnificently. is that there is no way in the world that this structure should apply to local government in I pay particular tribute to the people in the this State. Warwick, Glengallan, Rosenthal, and Allora areas because they are at the forefront in relation to Two things must be remembered. Firstly, no this particular Bill. I support entirely the forced amalgamations have ever worked. The amendments. I support those people out there. I member for Baron River knows this because we damn the Government if it continues to go down have travelled together. She has representative this line, but I would like to think that at long last experience at local government level and she some substance has been given to the knows what the people of Mulgrave think about Premier's boo-hooing at the weekend and that this. In particular, she knows what Councillor the Government will also support the proposed Pyne thinks about this. amendment. Dr Clark: It is interesting that you went Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick) (3.04 p.m.): along with us when we said that referendums In rising to participate in the debate on this aren't appropriate. amendment Bill, I would just like to quote from a Mr STONEMAN: I am pleased to take the couple of letters which come from residents interjection. Yes, I agree that referendums are within my electorate and within the heart of Allora not appropriate under the structure that existed shire as it now stands. I quote an extract from a because that was to accept that forced letter from one of the rural residents in Allora, Mr amalgamations were realistic. I never went along A. Maw. He states— with that position espoused by those on the "We were told at the beginning of this other side. I said I would not agree to a forced exercise that there would be no change if it amalgamation structure as proposed by EARC had little or no benefit to the people it because that was to imply agreement with the affected. We were also told that the process of forced amalgamations. We were opinions of the people would be sought arguing for the status quo. If councils agreed that and listened to. We attended 'public they wanted to amalgamate, no force was meetings' of EARC and PEARC, and were required. It is a totally different situation. I know allowed to say nothing, and told to listen. Legislative Assembly 7071 22 February 1994

Distortion, and disregard for the Rosenthal. He blandly assumes therefore, requirements of the ordinary ratepayer that we would never be able to co-operate seems to be the objective of the with our neighbouring shires, ignoring the Government. A referendum, which would fact that there has been very little if any give a true indication of the people's conflict in the past between Allora and her wishes, has been denied." neighbours." I also have a letter from a very articulate Allora That is a very important point. There has been shire resident, Mrs Thomas, from whom I very little, if any, conflict between those rural received numerous letters. Her letter states— local authorities and not as much conflict "Mr Hoffman has presented no between Warwick and Rosenthal as has been arguments of any substance to support his claimed. Mrs Thomas further states— recommendation for the inclusion of Allora "He plans to overcome this 'problem' in the merger. He dismisses the significance by imposing a forced amalgamation on us! of the 700-800 residents who turned out in What muddled logic! support of our Shire at the public meeting He cites the fact that old 'Glengallan' on Sept. 29." homestead is situated in Allora Shire as I went to that meeting unannounced. I stood up evidence of the overlap of community of the back just to see what was said and to hear interest throughout the review area. Fair the views of the ratepayers that day. It was one of dinkum! Is he serious? Unfortunately, so the biggest, if not the biggest, public meeting much of his 'evidence' supporting his that I had ever attended. I think that it was totally recommendation is on the same trivial level. representative of the views of the people of the Of course there is wide community of Allora shire. It is a small shire of 2 000 residents interest right across the Downs! There is and 700 to 800 of those people turned out and much interaction between Warwick and packed themselves into a very small hall to have Toowoomba—shopping, business, sport, their thoughts heard. entertainment etc. According to Mr. She goes on to say— Hoffman's reasoning, this provides evidence for the merging of Warwick and ". . . he ignores the Allora street poll results, Toowoomba. Perhaps later? he ignores the 380-odd submissions from residents. He speaks kindly of, but As for his claim that we are financially dismisses the importance of the strong very vulnerable, I believe our Council has community spirit that prevails in Allora, of ably refuted that. If Government grants were which our Council is the heart. He shows cut to the bone, I for one would be willing to scant understanding of the importance of pay even Mr. Hoffman's worst case 35% rate pride of ownership. We own the ability, increase to our own Council where we through our Council, to control and take receive full benefit, rather than to a Warwick responsibility for our day-to-day affairs. He Shire Council in hopes that some at least apparently believes this ownership, this might come back to us. responsibility, can be transferred at the I find it inconceivable that your stroke of his pen, from us to different Government which prides itself on it's council in another town where we would willingness to listen to the people, would have severely reduced representation with consider implementing this very little influence. He has expressed recommendation—but then your Local disappointment at our lack of enthusiasm for Government Minister Mackenroth has such an outcome! indicated he is not interested in referendum He refers to Allora Shire as a model results as people will always vote for no which others would do well to study, but change. Do we read this to mean that then proposes to rip the heart out of the unless we voted as Mr. Mackenroth wished, very model he commends so highly. This, he would not accept the result? Democracy, despite it having been clearly demonstrated Mr. Goss, or autocracy? that the community cohesion he so admires If Allora is included in the proposed depends very heavily on close interaction, merger against the clearly indicated wishes co-operation and accountability between of the people of the Shire and in spite of the the community and the Council which is an many reasoned arguments put forward in integral part of the community. support of retaining our independent He brands us as isolationist because status, then it will be clear that your we prepared and presented our defence Government is on a par with your colleagues independently of Glengallan and in Canberra who have consulted their 22 February 1994 7072 Legislative Assembly

dictionaries and discovered that 'ideology' consultation continue with the Local comes before 'people'." Government Commissioner. As I said before, That letter, which I table for the benefit of all approximately 700 to 800 people attended that members of this Parliament and for the record, is meeting. a true representation of the feelings of the Mr Welford: They have been consulted to people in the area, particularly in the rural shires. death. What are you talking about? During the time that I have been the Mr SPRINGBORG: I say to the member for that area—and it should be borne in honourable member that, notwithstanding the mind that a substantial area of Rosenthal was in consultation to which the honourable member the electorate of Carnarvon, which I refers and notwithstanding the fact that the represented, and then I picked up the other majority of the people were against it, they were three local authorities concerned when I was completely ignored. When a court of law proved endorsed and elected to the State seat of flawed one area of the final report of the Warwick—very few people have come to me in so-called independent Local Government support of the amalgamation. Probably 95 per Commissioner, other parts of the report have a cent of the people who have been to see me cloud hanging over them. have been against amalgamation. Even many Mr Welford interjected. people from Warwick have told me that they are opposed to amalgamation. Some people have Mr SPRINGBORG: I say to the told me that they are in favour of amalgamation honourable member that many of the figures and, up until the most recent recommendations, contained in the report are very dubious. We many people have withheld their opinions. By need an independent process by which those and large, the people in those councils remain to figures can be drawn out. be convinced that there is any great benefit to Mr Mackenroth: Do you want an be derived from the proposed amalgamation. independent process to look at the We have witnessed what I would describe independent process? as a four-year farce. It has wasted a whole pile of Mr SPRINGBORG: In a moment I will refer money, and it seems that we are plodding down to the areas in which there are some very real an inevitable path. The comments that were problems. It must be borne in mind that there is made here earlier today by the Minister by way of no avenue of appeal available to the overall interjection seem to indicate to me that, recommendation, or any process by which regardless of what happens— notwithstanding anybody can highlight other problems. that Mr Hoffman still has the power to come back The reason that the Rosenthal Shire with another recommendation involving a Council was able to succeed in the Supreme cooperative arrangement in which Warwick Court action was that the Local Government would take on a smaller bit of the territory from Commissioner departed substantially from what Rosenthal or Glengallan—this amalgamation will he was allowed to do. The point in question was happen. As it has been recorded in Hansard the issue of internal boundaries. There was already, it would not be unfair to quote the about a 25 per cent departure from what he had Minister who, in regard to amalgamation, said that recommended originally. We heard the he is as sure of the sun coming up tomorrow as honourable member for Brisbane Central in this he is that the amalgamation will occur. Those place deriding the Rosenthal Shire Council for words underline what we have been debating in taking that recommendation to court. The this place for three or four years; that is that, council has maintained consistently that, if the regardless of the arguments, amalgamation was Government is going to have this process, the always going to happen. Even if the Opposition Local Government Commissioner might as well put up the best philosophical or ideological get it right. It has demonstrated that, after three arguments that could be brought before this years, the Minister still has not got it right. The Parliament, it is arguing against the Government, Supreme Court was the only avenue available to and it has a philosophical intention to the council for appeal. The council appealed, amalgamate the local authorities in that area. I and it won. However, as we in this place are have no doubt about that whatsoever. That is aware, it has only delayed the inevitable. one of the reasons why this Bill has been introduced. Mr Welford: You wasted their ratepayers' money. Mr Welford interjected. Mr SPRINGBORG: The greatest waste of Mr SPRINGBORG: I say to the ratepayers' money—and taxpayers' money—has honourable member that this farce is based on been this whole wasteful exercise. It includes very unsound logic. We have seen the farce of the process of engaging consultants, who have consultation, and we have seen the farce of Legislative Assembly 7073 22 February 1994 produced some rather dubious results. I would correctly; maybe incorrectly—has said that he will like to quote some of the problems that have accept the recommendation of the Local been pointed out by the Rosenthal Shire Government Commissioner. To be able to sit Council, which it is unable to take further and down and work out where the figures are wrong which involve the total amalgamation of the four compared with other figures that have been put councils. The new option four was formally up requires a great deal of analytical knowledge. introduced by the commissioner in his Would members not prefer that, if a decision preliminary report released on 13 September about amalgamation is made in this place, such 1993. A covering letter dated 8 September and decision be based on the right premise, not seven tables of figures make up a some sort of supposition about changes in supplementary report purporting to substantiate grants formulae and such things? In many cases, the recommendation. The reasons put forward that is what the Local Government Commissioner by the commissioner to justify the decision of is using. total amalgamation are unsubstantiated. The I wish to quote other matters that I believe financial savings claimed have difficulty standing are valuable for this debate. The latest edition of up to scrutiny. The grants assumptions Council Leader, which is a publication of the purported have no basis in fact and differ from Local Government Association of Queensland, actual Queensland Grants Commission refers to this amalgamation process. I read it with information. The rural areas will be severely great interest. Much was written in favour of the disadvantaged by a reduction in representation process that was put in place by the to an unacceptable and consequently Government. The Opposition supported the ineffectual level. establishment of the office of Local Government Annual savings will be based on the formula Commissioner. However, the Opposition has consisting of net expenditure, number of concerns about the way some of the processes employees and number of separately rated have been carried out. The article goes on to properties. The new council would be give what I believe to be an unbiased view of categorised as at the top of level four. The what has happened in this State and quotes ramifications of this are extremely significant. An many experts. The editorial supports the annual saving in payroll in the vicinity of process, but it goes on to state— $240,000 is assumed using the pay levels of the "It is the current policy of the old councils. A new council on the top of level Association inter alia that a local referendum four would produce possible payroll savings of should be held if amalgamation or a major $100,000 a year. The payroll saving would be boundary change is recommended. A $100,000, not $240,000. 'major' change is one where an area I will turn now to plant and equipment. The containing at least 10% of the population or usage tables used to calculate the savings in at least 10% of the unimproved capital value plant and equipment are seriously flawed. of the local government is involved. To date Incorrect processing of information in the original the Executive has taken the position that it option four meant the assumed saving should is inappropriate to intervene in individual have been $25,725, not $102,900. The instances where boundaries are being allocation of Rosenthal equipment in option two reviewed. However, it has a strong is the direct opposite to the ratio on which the commitment to ensuring adherence to the workload was distributed. The utilisation target consultation process developed by the for plant usage is inconsistent and varies from Local Government Commissioner and option to option, even when the areas are would raise genuine concerns with the supposed to be similar in the different options. Commissioner as appropriate." Given the inconsistencies in target utilisation, it is The quote continues, and it expresses the most probable that there would be a saving of official view of the Local Government Association only one truck and one backhoe in the of Queensland. It raised some extremely good amalgamated council. points. It applauds the process, but it has I am saying that, even though the Local problems with the way in which some things are Government Commissioner is the person carried out. charged with making the final recommendation I will now refer to a news release, from the to Cabinet and, therefore, to the Government weekend, from Councillor Jim Pennell, the and then to the Parliament, I contend that there President of the Local Government Association is no real ability for many serious flaws that might of Queensland. He is held in very high esteem exist in his recommendation to be challenged by people in local government around this State. and, therefore, rectified. At the end of the day, This news release relates to what I was saying the Minister for Local Government—maybe before about their being no ability to challenge 22 February 1994 7074 Legislative Assembly the basis on which the amalgamations have authorities that I represent have held polls. been recommended. He stated— There has been a response from about 80 per "The Local Government Association of cent of voters. I know that the Minister is big on Queensland will raise with the State democracy. That is why he is sitting here and Government, the need for a right appeal as listening with great interest. In those cases, more to the recommended actions by the than 80 per cent of those voters in the Commissioner for Local Government on Glengallan and Rosenthal Shires voted against Council Amalgamations. the proposal for amalgamation. Allora Shire conducted an unofficial poll, and an even more Association President, Cr Jim Pennell people voted against amalgamation. There has said, 'Some Councils who have been never been a poll in Warwick. I would be through the amalgamation process were not extremely interested to see what the outcome of happy with it in that they could not such a poll would be. successfully challenge facts and figures being relied on by the Commissioner to The Minister's challenge was made on 4 make his final recommendation to the State October last year. Politicians may or may not be Government'." able to influence the outcomes. If the Minister is so confident that the process is right, why does That is an important point. The news release he not give people the ability to have the final continued— say? This Government is supposed to believe in "'Those Councils feel in their minds consultation. At the end of the day, that that their position was prejudiced in that consultation has not led anywhere. Many very they were unable to dispute certain facts articulate points were made by people, but they and figures', said Cr Pennell. were ignored. Nobody took any notice of them. He said, 'The State Government, the It is with pleasure that I support the Commissioner and the Association need to Opposition's proposal for a referendum before work together to further improve the any amalgamation goes ahead. It is logical that Council bound review process so that the we support this Bill, as it is impossible for the final decisions on amalgamation are fair and local authorities to be able to have everything in in the best interests of the Community.' order for the poll on 26 March. I implore all 'The Association reaffirms its call for the honourable members on the other side of the State Government to hold referendums House who say that they believe in democracy before any amalgamations proceed', said Cr and in everything that is good and right for this Pennell." country to support the Opposition's proposal for this democratic process. This relates to what I have been trying to point out throughout my contribution. After lunch, I Mr Pitt interjected. spoke on the telephone to a representative of Mr SPRINGBORG: I will talk to the the Rosenthal Shire Council. He said that the Government Whip about that later. Government has made it clear where it is going. Mr SLACK (Burnett) (3.24 p.m.): I He said, "We have a process in place. What we remember well when, in March 1990, the want to see now is a situation in which that legislation was put through this House to enable process works correctly. We want the ability to EARC to look at the boundaries for local make sure that the correct information is always authorities in this State. I remember speaking to put forward to be considered by the Parliament the Bill very late at night. This leads me to remind and by the Government." members that we were not going to sit after 10 In a press statement on about 4 October last o'clock at night before this Government came to year, the Minister stated— power. What has happened to that idea? "People can put forward their In speaking to the Bill, I made the point that, submissions and they can be looked at by as it was the intention of this Government to an independent body. That is the way the review local authority boundaries, the Government has decided to go and it is the Government should do so as quickly as possible. way we will continue to go. Look, you know Many local authorities were in a state of the local authorities now pushing for this indecision—flux—in respect of their future plans have the opportunity to hold polls and action in relation to capital works programs themselves in their own areas and none of and so on. At the same time, I raised the issue them ever do." that we had many small local authorities—and That was the reply to a question about there is one in my electorate. At that time, Perry referendums which the Minister was obviously Shire had 274 electors—that is all. Yet it is a very asked. Since that time, two of the local efficient, well-organised local authority. It is able Legislative Assembly 7075 22 February 1994 to demonstrate its efficiency by the fact that its up and down and said, "This is not fair. This is not constituents had some of the lowest rates in the democracy." In the PEARC report, Lesley Clark State. This gave the lie to the argument put stated, "We do not believe in forced forward by the Government at the time that amalgamations." amalgamations would have economic benefits As I said, first there was the and so on. recommendation of EARC, and then PEARC got When I spoke to the Bill—and I remember involved because no action was taken on the this very clearly—the then Local Government EARC recommendation. This was a political Minister, Tom Burns, the friend of the bush, the problem. Understandably, the people did not local authorities and everyone else whom he want it. says that he looks after and listens to, interjected Mr Welford: Where? and said that I was right about Perry Shire having the lowest rate base. As a consequence, it is a Mr SLACK: The member witnessed the very tightly knit community. I expected that demonstration in Bundaberg. I remember well EARC would take into consideration such factors the role that the member for Everton played. He as community interest; that it would recognise was the Crown prosecutor from Canberra. He the position of small local authorities and the part gave the chairman a hard time. The member for that they play within the community and the Everton cross-examined the chairman as though community support for them. I felt that he were up on a murder charge. It was community support would be there. And it was. unbelievable, and it was an embarrassment to us When EARC went there to have a look, what all. Am I correct in stating that, at lunchtime, the happened? There were big meetings and chairman had a word to the member for Everton protests. The people did not want changes and and said, "Listen, we are not involved in a murder amalgamations of small shires that were getting trial. These people are representing their by very well. The people did not want constituents and putting their own point of amalgamation, and they did not support it. view"? I attended a meeting in Bundaberg when Mr Welford: That's totally false. That's my area was involved—Gooburrum Shire, rubbish. Woongarra Shire and the City of Bundaberg. Mr SLACK: It is not rubbish. The member Incidentally, the member for Bundaberg was one should ask a few of the people who were of the people pushing for the amalgamation. In present. I was very embarrassed. I thought, "This this House, he unashamedly said that he fellow is going right over the top." I was about to supported it. That was what he said in reply to an stand up and say something about it but, thank interjection from the member for Lockyer, who goodness, the member got the message. raised the issue that it had been raised in the At the end of the day, it was quite clear that caucus and that he had demanded that ALP the people did not want amalgamation. So policy be put in place. PEARC considered the issue. It made a Mr T. B. Sullivan: And he got re-elected, recommendation in which the member for Barron too, didn't he? River stated that she did not agree with forced Mr SLACK: He got re-elected within amalgamations. The message was getting Bundaberg, but if he had stepped into my through loud and clear. At that time, the State electorate, he would not have been re-elected election was imminent. too quickly. What happened to the Labor Party in Mr Welford: The PEARC report my areas that were affected? Its vote went down. recommended amalgamation. My vote went up 6 per cent. Incidentally, the Mr SLACK: I am aware that PEARC made vote of the member for Bundaberg, Mr that recommendation. After that, and just before Campbell, did not go up; it went down. I suggest the State election, the good Minister, Tom that the member for Caboolture think before he Burns, who is the friend of the bush, started to makes an interjection off the top of his head. He worry about the implications of pushing the should put his brain into gear before he puts his matter further because of the electoral mouth into action. repercussions. I ask the member for Everton: is What arose from the EARC investigation? that right or wrong? We saw certain recommendations—and I am Mr Welford: I have no idea. speaking about my area—that Bundaberg and Wongarra would be put together and that Mr SLACK: How surprising—the member Gooburrum would stay separate. Naturally, there does not have any idea! He knows damned well was a big outcry about that from the people of that it is right. At the end of the day, Mr Hoffman Wongarra. Gooburrum was given to understand was appointed as the Local Government that it was not under threat. Everybody jumped Commissioner to re-examine the position. At that 22 February 1994 7076 Legislative Assembly time, I urged the Government to get on with Mr SLACK: Is that not Government policy? examining the matter and allowing those people Was that not the policy of the Government to have an input. The Government appointed Mr before the last election? Do Government Hoffman. That appointment carried the members deny that? At the end of day, poor little Government through the State election. It Gooburrum will no longer exist. I accept that it is temporarily solved that political problem. Then no good crying over what was wrong or what was the decisions had to be made. right in the past. The decision has now been In my area, Mr Hoffman faced a very difficult made, and we will have to get on—— problem. He knew that he had to come up with Mr Nunn: Are you saying that Mr Hoffman something. He knew that public opinion was wasn't impartial, because you're implying that? against the proposals of EARC and PEARC. I You won't answer that. believe that, at the end of the day, Mr Hoffman Mr SLACK: What was the question? took the path of least resistance. Mr Nunn: My question is: are you implying Poor old Gooburrum had been given that Hoffman isn't impartial? assurances that it would survive. It had been compliant and had agreed to surrender part of its Mr SLACK: I wonder about Mr Hoffman's territory in return for an assurance that its little objectivity. He believed that he had to come up community would remain intact. However, that with a solution. He came up with the best promise was put on the chopping block. After possible solution having gone down the path of that, Gooburrum was history. The members of least resistance. Is that satisfactory? the council jumped up and down about the Mr Nunn: I have my answer. decision to amalgamate. To them, it was a bolt Mr SLACK: Good. That is my response to from the blue. They appealed and did everything the interjection by the member for Hervey Bay. else they could to stop it. The members of the That is a fair answer to a fair question. I am not council believed genuinely that they had done a implying that Mr Hoffman was vindictive, but an good job, and they had. They sent agenda was given to him by the Government. He representatives to see the Minister, as he will had an impossible task to undertake—— acknowledge. They did everything correctly. However, at the end of the day, the die was cast Mr Nunn interjected. and there was no hope for Gooburrum. The Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Shires of Gooburrum and Woongarra—what is Power): Order! The member for Hervey Bay will left after parts of them have been amalgamated cease interjecting. with Bundaberg— are to be amalgamated. Mr SLACK: He was sent in there to come I can assure this House that the majority of up with a solution to fix the problem. An people in Gooburrum did not support that acceptable solution did not necessarily mean the decision. I can assure this House that many maintenance of the status quo. It was a very people in the Woongarra Shire were sympathetic messy situation. to the problems of the people of Gooburrum. I am quite prepared to say that that solution The better solution would have been some was no good, because a forced amalgamation major adjustments to the boundaries to allow was being proposed. In addition to the those two shires to exist as independent non-Government members, the Labor Party's communities. They were already working PEARC chairperson stated that she did not efficiently; they were working well. There could believe in forced amalgamations. However, the have been a sharing of arrangements between PEARC recommendation was not worth two Bundaberg, Woongarra and Gooburrum in bob. This Government intended to implement a relation to water, sewerage and other utilities. If forced amalgamation, simply because it was the decision had been made in that way, when quite clear that the councils of Gooburrum and the final decision was made the people would Woongarra did not support the EARC proposal. have forgotten their differences and settled They demonstrated their lack of support quite down. All the lobbying would have been done clearly when the member for Everton was making and all the pressures would have been behind his Hitler-type assertions and adopting a them, and they could have operated efficiently. dictatorial attitude to the poor people who were There are no ifs, buts or maybes about it. They trying to answer his questions—the hot-shot had the runs on the board. However, the big public prosecutor from Canberra. The member hand of Government interfered indirectly. Labor for Everton cannot deny that. Party policy is that shires throughout this State be amalgamated. I commend to the House the amendments foreshadowed by the Opposition. I state quite Government members interjected. emphatically that the rights and wishes of the people in my area were not given due Legislative Assembly 7077 22 February 1994 consideration. Democracy was definitely not at government authority had an input into any work throughout this entire episode. The various proposed changes. When we have a look at it, public opinion surveys that were undertaken we find that they were prepared to have people illustrated overwhelmingly that the people did who lived in a rural division outside Kingaroy not support an amalgamation. The staff of the having twenty seven times the voting power of council believed that they could continue to people in Kingaroy. The Opposition supported operate as they had been. They had that farcical situation—— demonstrated that they were operating well. Mr Perrett interjected. Despite the assurances that have been given, those staff are uncertain about whether they will Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! all be re-employed. The member for Barambah! I accept that the Government has made its Mr CAMPBELL: That is good; that is decision. Mr Hoffman has made a democracy. Opposition members will still say that recommendation. Despite the Minister's claims it is right that their neighbours in the country that he would listen to the objections of the towns and the provincial cities have not got the people, at the end of the day the Government same voting right—the same right to intended to accept Mr Hoffman's democracy—as those who live on the farms. recommendation, and it has done so. In those What hypocrisy! circumstances, the people of Gooburrum, The next point I would like to make is in Woongarra and Bundaberg do not have any relation to Mount Perry. The member for Burnett choice but to get together and try to make also spoke about Mount Perry. It is interesting to amalgamation work in the interests of all note that Mount Perry has the lowest rate base in concerned. Those are the facts of life. However, that region. That fact is accepted. Mount Perry that does not mean that they are not entitled to also has the lowest level of services in that area. protest and say to this Government, "What That means that the population of the township happened to democracy?" of Mount Perry is deteriorating. The State Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (3.39 p.m.): Government is the body that now provides those I have heard the bleatings of members opposite. services that are lacking. Aside from that point, in They claim to be concerned about democracy, one of the divisions in Perry, 14 people elected the consultation process and forced their representative. So much for democracy! amalgamations. It is interesting to recall that, Everyone would love to have small local when they were in Government, they did not authorities but, unfortunately, somebody has to conduct one referendum. When members pay for them. It is the people from the suburban opposite were in Government, they forced their areas and the provincial areas who have paid, views onto the people of Queensland. However, and continue to pay, for the luxury of having now that they are in Opposition, the wheel has small local authorities. They will continue to be turned. the people who pay in the future. If people want I must remind the House about the way in to have a small local authority, that is fair enough, which the National Party implemented but it must be remembered that these small local amalgamations when it changed local authority authorities are subsidised by taxpayers not only boundaries. Russ Hinze used to do it from an throughout Queensland but also throughout aeroplane. When it came to the Burrum Shire, he Australia. flew over Hervey Bay and said, "We will do away When EARC investigated the local authority with the Burrum Shire. We will have a totally new boundaries, it found that there were extra area named Hervey Bay." Russ Hinze did not go expenses and high costs associated with having to the people. He consulted one or two small local authorities. The taxpayers had to powerbrokers who held green cards, and they subsidise small local authorities. The money that made the decision. The opposition to the was paid did not go towards providing services to impartial review of local government boundaries the people; it went towards administrative costs is nothing more than a few people wanting to incurred in keeping the power base in those hang onto their last vestiges of power without areas. having to go to the people. I do not mind standing in this place and It must be remembered that there were two saying that I wanted and, indeed, pushed for a stages to the review of local government review not only of the internal boundaries but boundaries. First of all, there was the review of also of the external boundaries of local internal boundaries, and then there was the authorities. However, I did not talk about review of external boundaries. The review of amalgamations. What I wanted to see was internal boundaries was about democracy; about recognition of the true size of an expanding city ensuring that the people within a local such as Bundaberg. It is a city of 45 000 people. 22 February 1994 7078 Legislative Assembly

When one looks at the boundaries as shown by the amendments before the House. What we are the Bundaberg City Council, one is led to doing is— believe that the population is 33 000. I am proud Mr Springborg: We are not opposing of the fact that the true size of Bundaberg will them. now be recognised. Mr MACKENROTH: Opposition I do not necessarily accept that the final members have said that they are going to move decision was the best decision for the an amendment to provide for referendums. They Bundaberg area and local authorities, but we are opposing the system that is in place. Three must live with it. I do believe that local authorities years ago, EARC was was given a reference to will now be more efficient and more effective in look at local government boundaries. It brought the long run. It is only common sense to down a report. The parliamentary committee consider amalgamations in my area. Do looked at its recommendations and made a honourable members realise that Bundaberg number of findings. Cabinet made a decision had three local authority administrations all within that a Local Government Commissioner should 20 metres of each other? One could actually be appointed. Today, members of the throw a rock from one to the other. The Opposition have criticised that process. The administrations all backed onto each other. They member for Burnett said that the Government were all providing the same services. I do not had simply made that decision to defer any believe that amalgamation means that we have to action until after the last State election. That is reduce staff or services. Amalgamation should just not true. result in the provision of more services to my area for the same price. That is what can be Now the National Party says that gained from amalgamation—more services for referendums should be conducted. In its the same price. submission to EARC, the National Party said— As I have said, I am proud of the fact that the "The NPAQ is of the firm view that true size of Bundaberg has now been there should be NO change to any local recognised. In fact, I have to say that the authority boundary (in part or whole) in boundaries are probably right now, because Queensland until the Local Authority there are residential areas still to be developed Boundaries Commission (LABC) is on the outskirts of the city which, within the next established, unless by mutual agreement of few years, will become part of the city. That the LAs involved." means that we will have to go through this whole The National Party was asked to respond to process again. questions by EARC. One of those questions One of the major problems under the was— National Party was that the boundaries had not "Should the most appropriate body for changed for 25 to 30 years. To keep power in making external boundary change be a different areas, that Government adopted the Commission which deals with LA electoral practice of hand-outs. That is the way it made its matters and LA boundaries (internal and decisions. external) or just LA boundaries (internal When I was in America two years ago, I and/or external)?" found a solution to this whole problem. When The National Party response was— areas in the State of Illinois are rezoned from rural "The NPAQ submits, that the to residential, those residential areas appropriate body should be one automatically come within the city boundaries. independent of executive government Therefore, the city will always provide the which deals with the local authority electoral services for those extra people. However, the matters and local authority boundaries rural shires in those counties continue to provide (internal and external), drawn from a concise the same services. I believe that that could be a but representative base chaired by a person solution to concerns about the adjustments that with wide and practical knowledge of local will be required in the years to come. However, in government and its responsibilities." the end, I am proud that Bundaberg will now be regarded as the city that it is. Mr McElligott: That sounds like Greg Hoffman. Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—Minister for Housing, Local Mr MACKENROTH: When the Local Government and Planning) (3.47 p.m.), in reply: Government Commission was set up, Mrs In answer to the members who have participated McCauley, who is the Local Government in this debate today, let me say, firstly, that I have spokesperson for the National Party, had this to never seen such hypocrisy as I have seen today say about Mr Hoffman— from members of the National Party in opposing Legislative Assembly 7079 22 February 1994

"This legislation will not be opposed by The questions continued— the Opposition, because it understands " 'What arrangements should apply to that this legislation is required to facilitate ensure that (local authorities) and the public the electoral review process of local have appropriate input to the decision government by the newly appointed Local processes of the LABC?' Government Commissioner, Mr Greg Hoffman. I have called to see Greg, whom I Comment: 'The (National Party of have known from his days with the Local Queensland) submits that the Government Association, and I am quite arrangements should be set out in an Act of comfortable in the knowledge that his Parliament similar to those proposed by the background in local government matters is EARC in the Electoral Districts Bill 1990.' " both comprehensive and up to date. I could That is what we have done. It continues— imagine the furore within local government "Question: 'What role should (local circles if someone who was not au fait with authorities) take in external boundary what is happening in local government in changes?' Queensland had been chosen for this position." Comment: 'The (National Party of Queensland) submits that (local authorities) That was in November 1992. Quite obviously, involved in external boundary changes the National Party showed its support for a Local should be entitled to make submissions,' Government Commission. The National Party's "— submission to EARC was really the first mention of having that commission. Now, during today's which they are— debate, the National Party has criticised this " 'written and oral' "— Government for setting up the commission. which they are— I turn now to questions asked of the " 'and have the right of objection' "— National Party at that time. They are— which they can. And further— "Question: 'Should the (local authority commission) have powers to: initiate and "The oral submissions should take undertake its own investigations; place in the applicable shire." investigate only those matters referred to it; They do. Every single process that the National or carry out both functions?' Party commented on in its submission to EARC Comment: 'The NPAQ' "— is exactly what this Government has done. the National Party of Queensland— When faced with a situation in which EARC was looking at whether or not there should be " 'submits that the LABC is the appropriate amalgamations, the National Party adopted this body should carry out both functions.' new philosophy of having another independent Question: 'What degree of commission look at them. That is exactly what it independence should the LABC have in its set out in its recommendations. That is the exact operations?' recommendation that this Government has Comment: 'The (National Party of followed. The National Party now wants to Queensland) submits that the LABC should criticise the exact process that the National Party be totally independent' "— of Queensland set out in its submission to EARC. Not one mention is made in that which it is. They continue— submission to EARC of holding a referendum. "Question: 'Should the Now, the independent Local Government recommendations of the LABC be subject Commission has been set up. That independent to review and/or appeal, and if so by whom?' commission now makes a recommendation that Comment: 'The (National Party of the National Party is not happy with in its Queensland) submits that the final constituencies. The National Party now says that recommendations (after objections) of the we must have a referendum. LABC should not be subject to immediate Let me go back to the process after EARC review, but the reasons for acceptance or when the parliamentary committee had a look at rejection must be published by the LABC.' " this. The parliamentary committee made a That is exactly the process that we are following. recommendation that there should not be In its submission to EARC, the National Party of referendums at all. At that stage, a dissenting Queensland submitted that there should not be report was signed by Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Stoneman a review following the final recommendations. and Mr Quinn, who had this to say— That is exactly the process that we are following. 22 February 1994 7080 Legislative Assembly

"The question of referendums at the Committee local level is not only complex, but in the Hon. T. M. Mackenroth (Chatsworth— end, probably of questionable value." Minister for Housing, Local Government and Mr Fitzgerald, who has foreshadowed an Planning) in charge of the Bill. amendment for a referendum, said— Clause 1, as read, agreed to. "We consider referendums have been Clause 2— proposed by affected local authorities and some communities as a defensive Mr FITZGERALD (3.58 p.m.): It is mechanism in the face of what they believe interesting to note that the commencement date to be forced and detrimental changes." for this clause is 1 February 1994. This is clearly retrospective legislation. I draw that to the Yet now, the National Party of Queensland is attention of the Chamber because, if we had a championing the cause for referendums. Those proper Legislative Standards Act in place, it members would not support the parliamentary would automatically be reported to the House committee report. They then put forward their that this is retrospective legislation. From time to own report, which basically said that we should time that becomes necessary— and I set up an office of Local Government understand why it is necessary— because of the Commissioner. I will not go through all the documents that have been processed already to recommendations. It said that we should set up a give effect to this amendment by 1 February Local Government Commissioner, which is 1994. But it is unusual for this Chamber to pass similar to what the National Party of Queensland legislation and then make no comment on the had said, and that is the process that we fact that it is retrospective. What was legal on 20 followed. There should not be any criticism of February will become illegal from 1 February. that by the National Party. In their report, the That is truly retrospective legislation. This dissenting National Party and Liberal Party amendment will be taken to have commenced members quite clearly said that the question of from 1 February 1994. Today is 22 February referendums at the local level is of questionable 1994. I draw that matter to the attention of the value. But those members are now the Committee. champions of referendums. Clause 2, as read, agreed to. This is a Bill to postpone elections in four shires. That has become necessary because of Clauses 3 to 6, as read, agreed to. the action that was taken by the Rosenthal Shire Clause 7— Council. The Government did not oppose it Mr FITZGERALD (4 p.m.): I move the going to court. We simply made our position following amendment— quite clear at the very start, which was that the report recommending amalgamation having "At page 6, after line 15— been brought down, we would support that insert— report and implement the legislative mechanisms '(4) However, the relevant reviewable necessary to ensure that the report could go local government matters may be ahead. The court found in Rosenthal's case that implemented only if the implementation is Greg Hoffman had made a substantive change approved by a majority of electors in each of and squashed the report. I make it very clear that the affected local government areas voting the court did not find in relation to in polls conducted under Chapter 6 amalgamations. We have taken the steps of (General operation of local governments), postponing those four elections to enable a new Part 2 (Polls). report to be drawn up. (5) The polls must be held on a day not I ask members to remember that the majority less than 1 month nor more than 3 months of work in relation to considering the after the Local Government Commissioner's amalgamation of those four councils has already report on the relevant local government been done, so it should not be a really lengthy matters is tabled in the Legislative process. It is still in the hands of the Assembly.'." independent commission. We will postpone the elections, obtain a new report, consider that I will not speak at length to this issue. report and then either one election, four However, I will stand behind my statement that elections or a number of elections—whatever this deals specifically with the Shires of the case will be—will be held in those particular Rosenthal, Glengallan and Allora and the City of areas. Warwick. The people of Queensland have demonstrated clearly to the Opposition—and Motion agreed to. surely to the Government—that those people have every good reason to have this matter Legislative Assembly 7081 22 February 1994 settled by referendum. I stand by the statement referendums—because I had raised that in my in the PEARC committee report that I reply to the second reading debate—was where signed—the minority report—that at times a it affected a few properties. That is simply not the referendum is of questionable value, particularly case. Point 5 of the recommendations of when it relates to a boundary adjustment Stoneman, FitzGerald and Quinn states— between two shires in which a number of "The terms of reference should properties are involved, where the majority of recognise the broad thrust of the 'Principles those property owners are in favour of shifting and Indicators' as set out in the EARC from one shire to another, and where both shire Report but should primarily focus on councils are in favour of the amendments to definable cost benefit analyses and the those boundaries. That happens from time to concerns of the community(ies) involved in time, and I can see no good reason why the rest any joint arrangement, amalgamation, de- of the shire should then have a referendum on amalgamation or partial restructure of that particular issue. existing boundaries and/or practices." It has been clearly demonstrated to me that This refers to amalgamation. His comment is there is much dissent in the Warwick area and made directly underneath that recommendation, that people are feeling very emotional about it. where he states— The member for Warwick demonstrated that official and unofficial polls show how many "The question of referendums at the people oppose the amalgamation. A report has local level is not only complex, but in the been handed down by the Local Government end, probably of questionable value." Commissioner. I accept that he has made a In his recommendation in relation to total determination. I do believe that the Government amalgamations, he said that the question of should have the final judgment on whether the referendums was of "questionable value". Yet report should be implemented. On this he moved an amendment to bring about a occasion, I believe that the people in the area, referendum. He is simply doing that for political who have had all the facts put before them, reasons. The whole basis of an independent should make up their own minds whether or not commission is to move the question of they are going to accept it. amalgamations out of the political process. The National Party is trying their darnedest to bring Mr Welford: What about all the other the proper review of local government areas? boundaries in this State into the political arena. I Mr FITZGERALD: This clause is clearly believe that the honourable member stands dealing with the amalgamation of Warwick and condemned for that. the other shires in that area. Mr FITZGERALD: Earlier in the debate in Mr Mackenroth: Name the other shires. this Chamber, the Minister had indicated that he Mr FITZGERALD: I just ran through would not use hobnailed boots or jack boots to them—Rosenthal, Glengallan, Allora, and walk all over local authorities; he would walk all over them with soft shoes. I rest my case. Warwick. Does the Minister want me to spell them for him? Does he want to know where the Mr SPRINGBORG: In rising to support boundaries are of each of them? I have been a the Opposition amendment, I would like to say at neighbour of some of these shires for quite the outset that referendums may not be some time. In fact, they are my neighbours now. appropriate in all areas of amalgamation. If one The Boonah Shire boundary runs right down considers the Gympie/Widgee example, one there. If the Minister does not know where my saw the process go through the EARC and the electorate is, I can certainly tell him. PEARC processes. They both decided that they would have independent consultants make The proposed referendum is specific to the recommendations about any boundary changes. clauses before the Committee at this time. It They made various recommendations and the deals specifically with the Warwick area. The two councils decided to support them. In this Opposition will be supporting the amendment case, it is not quite as clear as that. There seems that the people in that area should decide to be lingering problems. As I said before in my whether or not the commission's report should contribution, the majority of rural be implemented. ratepayers—about 4.5 to 1—are opposed to the Mr MACKENROTH: What political forced amalgamation of their local authorities. I hypocrisy! The member who has just spoken in dare say that the figure would be about 60 to 40 support of his own amendment said, going back in the City of Warwick itself. I am not particularly to his own report, to which he signed his name, interested in history lessons. I am espousing the and which was tabled in Parliament, that what he majority view of my electorate. We believe that was talking about in relation to there should be a referendum in this particular 22 February 1994 7082 Legislative Assembly case before the amalgamation proceeds. If the Robson, Rose, Smith, Spence, Sullivan J. H., Minister is so confident of all the reasons that he Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, Vaughan, Warner, is putting forward to ensure this amalgamation, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Pitt, Livingstone he should be able to put it across to the Resolved in the negative. electorate. Clause 7, as read, agreed to. Until recent times, I have copped a certain Clause 8, as read, agreed to. degree of flack in my own electorate for taking a low profile on this matter. I felt that the best Bill reported, without amendment. people to put the points of view were the people Third Reading who were involved in the local authorities Bill, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, by leave, themselves. It is only recently that I have come read a third time. out and expressed my point of view, and I will continue to do so until the day that we come into this Chamber and pass the regulation which will TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE BILL bring about the actual abolition of these local authorities. Second Reading Debate resumed from 18 November 1993 Mr Mackenroth: I believe that as the local member you played the proper role in the way (see p. 5982). that you handled that. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (4.20 p.m.): As we all know, the Transport Infrastructure Bill has Mr SPRINGBORG: I thank the Minister. I been sitting on the table of this House since late do appreciate his paying me compliments. I thank him for the times that he met with me and last year. It is an important piece of legislation the representatives from the Rosenthal Shire. I because it brings together all the facets of commend him for being the inaugural member of transport within this State. the Rosenthal mobile library. He will have to give As I said, in late 1993 the Minister opened up his card if he maintains his position, because discussion on the Transport Infrastructure Bill, he has said that they will be abolished soon. saying that it was the result of a departmental Enough of the frivolity. I believe that in this purge of legislation and that it had been decided case at least, and maybe in other cases, a that the functions of the department would be referendum is the right and appropriate way to better administered under 20 Acts instead of 55 go. We have demonstrated that there may be Acts. My comment to that is: so what? It matters problems. We have supported the Local not one bit whether the department has 20 Acts Government Commissioner. I do not back away or 55 Acts. If the department can perform from that. I stood up here and supported that. effectively with only one Act, we have 19 too There are problems. I believe that Rosenthal many. Shire and the other shires have demonstrated However, what really matters is whether the that even when there are problems with figures, Acts are delivering effective transport to the there is no means to have them challenged and State. I can read nothing in the Minister's speech reconciled further down the track. I have to suggest that he is informing the House of the problems with that. That is why I think we should real needs of the State or what he is doing, or be supporting the amendment that was put not doing, to see those needs addressed. This forward by the Opposition spokesman. I believe morning I referred to the south-eastern corridor it is something which would fall into line with what of the Gold Coast highway. The Minister was not the majority of the residents of those four local present in the House to hear my speech, but authorities would want. representatives of his transport committee were Question—That the words proposed to present. No doubt they heard what I had to say. be inserted be so inserted—put; and the We have been waiting for two years for this Committee divided— Government to make a decision on the Gold AYES, 30—Beanland, Connor, Cooper, Davidson, Coast highway concept. I suppose we will wait Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Goss J. N., Grice, Healy, until the next State election, when the Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, Government will come out with some great story Mitchell, Perrett, Randell, Rowell, Santoro, Simpson, that it is going to do this and it is not going to do Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson that. But it is not going to do anything, anyway. Tellers: Springborg, Laming That seems to be the name of the game. I see NOES, 49—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, the member for Brisbane Central sitting closer to Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, the Minister. I would be a bit nervous, if I were the Casey, Clark, Comben, D’Arcy, Davies, De Lacy, Minister. This morning I made reference to the Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, role of the member for Brisbane Central on the Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, McGrady, Minister's committee. I said to him, "You could be Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Pearce, Power, Purcell, Pyke, Legislative Assembly 7083 22 February 1994 the Minister soon." The member for Brisbane want a safeguard at all. Will it, in effect, carry its Central gave me a beautiful smile. I thought: the own risk, or organise from its own resources Minister is history—he is gone. insurance against a loss? That decision is entirely I do not support everything that the Minister one for the council. Will the Transport said, but I support his goal of achieving maximum Department be adding an extra loading onto the value for the limited public dollars available. The contract price? These are all questions that beg Bill is clearly directed at getting maximum value an answer. Furthermore, the Minister stated in by ensuring that healthy competition prevails in his second-reading speech that there are no the calling of tenders for roadworks. There is plans afoot to transfer responsibility for a large nothing new in that. The former National Party number of State roads to local governments. Has Government was always of the same mind. he asked the opinion of local governments on However, the Minister is not listening. He never this? The case may be that local governments do listens—that is his biggest problem. However, I not agree with this, and that they see the cannot see how this differs from the way things variations proposed as being highly onerous were done in the past or what the Bill does to upon them. This is something that I have raised contribute to improved road building efficiency. in this House on numerous occasions. I have raised it in public forums, and I will raise it again Honourable members should remember today in this transport infrastructure debate. that competition is a means to an end, the end being efficiency. Competition is not the end in I urge the Minister to give all local authorities itself. One gets the impression from the Bill that within this State the guarantee that there will be the Government is looking to private enterprise no "de-maining" of roads within their local to resolve all of the challenges of the Transport authorities. That would be to the severe Ministry by handing the roles over to the private detriment of local authorities. We would find our sector—that is, jobbing out the whole show. In local authorities being forced into particular, the Bill refers to the new role of local amalgamations, as is happening to the shires government as contractors to the Government, around Warwick. If the shires in the bush do not which is clearly a major plank of this legislation. have guaranteed road funding and if they do not Local authorities will now be able to make a profit have the rate base to sustain their ongoing on roadworks they perform for the Transport finance needs, some of the remote western and Department, whereas previously it acted as an northern shires will disappear. That would be a employment bureau assigning workmen to State great tragedy. Government roadworks at an hourly rate. The We forget that the very few people who live other side of the equation is that local authorities in those areas provide so much for the wellbeing can incur a loss, also. of this nation and for its export earnings. They We all know that local government is the should be allowed to make sure that they can most important facet of government in this nation have a style of life that people along the south- today. But I am afraid that this Government east and north-east coasts of Queensland enjoy. seems to continue to pay lip-service to the role Local governments may consider that they want of local government. The Minister said in his more responsibility for local roadworks in their second-reading speech that there will be shires. They would welcome new roadworks safeguards against damaging results for local within their jurisdiction, naturally with the relevant authorities that cannot withstand the impact of share of road user charges to go with it. significant losses. However, I ask: have the local The Bill gives the impression that it is authorities seen the safeguards, and do they presenting local government with a fait agree with them? Do they think they are accompli—that is, an accomplished fact. It gives workable? Did the local authorities have a say in the impression that the State Government is what the safeguards are, or will they simply have saying to local government, "You fellows are only them announced to them? In particular, I am amateurs at running government. Leave it all to concerned for local authorities in the remote and us professionals to do all of the thinking for you, isolated areas of Queensland. In such places, and you will have nothing to worry about." This is the need for safeguards is different from those the one part of this Bill that concerns me. In fact, of the large cities—and the expense of a loss nothing could be further from the truth. Local would fall on fewer ratepayers. That will be the government has a tremendous advantage over outcome in many of the western and northern State and Federal Governments in that it is the shires. I think everybody is greatly concerned closest to the coalface—the events of every day. about that. I know I am, and I know my colleagues Nobody knows better the needs of a shire than on this side of the House will be. the people who live in it. Every shire throughout Will the Minister ask each shire what it this State has different needs and issues to requires? What if a council says that it does not address on a daily and yearly basis. We should 22 February 1994 7084 Legislative Assembly recognise that as being something that a local local authority. It is a bit like calling tenders for authority has to contend with daily. steel supply, and for one very good reason the The Governments in Brisbane or Canberra only tenderer is BHP. There will be no cannot be as well aware of the needs of a competition. It is beyond belief that the community as people who are right there at the Transport Department will allow a local operational face. This Government, whether government, with a natural monopoly caused by members opposite like it or not, does not consult virtue of distance, to use its monopoly to name in most cases. When it does make a blunder, its own price. There are no doubt provisions in what does it do? It sends the Deputy Premier, the legislation or the Explanatory Notes to which Tom Burns, to try to rectify it. the Minister did not refer in his second-reading speech to ensure that that does not occur. Mr Beattie: He's pretty good. It was a pity that nearly all of the Minister's Mr JOHNSON: I will take the interjection second-reading speech was directed at road from the member for Brisbane Central. I think the transport, although the Bill is directed at roads, editorial of the Townsville Bulletin this morning rail, ports and miscellaneous forms of transport stated that he goes out and tells jokes and so such as airports and monorails. There may be on. little or no further efficiency to be squeezed out Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): of port operations from privatisation. Those Order! The member should address his remarks inefficiencies that remain—and they constitute a through the Chair. national disgrace—must be borne by Mr JOHNSON: I thought I was, Mr Deputy Government. Speaker. I am sorry. The Deputy Premier has The problem with port operations is the been treated as a joke in the bush. This poverty of Government policy and direction. The Government has gone back five times on what it basic idea of good business management where said it will do. There were to be rail closures both parties— Government and port throughout the State, but it was discovered that authorities—meet regularly and sort out the power of the people is stronger than the problems is one way to ensure sound port power of this Government. Ultimately, the operation. I consider that this should occur on a Government reneged. The Premier flew out to national rather than a local level. In particular, we apologise. I can assure the House that apologies should look for a national ports policy to from this Government and this Premier no longer coordinate major port infrastructure mean anything in the bush. Last week, the development with the aim of avoiding spending Premier flew to Monto to apologise to the people public money on over-capacity. That is to say, we for ripping off their ambulance committee to the need to match facilities to needs. For example, it tune of 200 grand. This is an ongoing saga. is simply not practical to have five hub ports in Mr FitzGerald: He did not even attend a Australia, given the national volume of only 1.7 public meeting. million tonne equivalent units, or TEUs. It is questionable logic to invest large sums into Mr JOHNSON: The Premier did not even national transport infrastructure to support have the courtesy to consult with the chairman of industry if, on the other hand, we have a tariff the relevant shire council. That is a classic policy aimed at eliminating so-called inefficient example of the way in which this Government industry. operates. There is no consultation at all. The argument often quoted is that transport Many provisions of this legislation state that infrastructure needs to be in place to generate a local government must obtain the chief trade. However, that argument is contradicted by executive's written approval, and are followed by many of the Asian economies, where trade is a string of other requirements. However, I see no booming in spite of poor transport infrastructure. provision in the Bill that requires the chief That is not to say that I do not support a policy of executive to seek the permission of the local world best practice. Indeed, I support that authority to undertake any cooperative measure. principle strongly, but there needs to be an That is most unusual, as a major element of the integration of policies at Government level. Bill rotates on the concept of cooperation between the State Government and local Mr Beattie: That's what the Bill's all about. government. It appears that the Bill is anything Mr JOHNSON: I will address that point in a but cooperative. moment. Unless we integrate transport I turn to the topic of tenders. It must be infrastructure with our manufacturing and primary remembered that, in many parts of Queensland, production base, we could finish up with a the calling of tenders will be a one-horse race. world's best practice transport system that does The only organisation placing a tender will be the nothing but transport the flood of cheap, inferior Legislative Assembly 7085 22 February 1994 imported products onto Australian shop shelves the many positive benefits that it has for the task more efficiently and at less cost than could be of coordinating national transport. The done in the country of manufacture. That is of Opposition is strongly in favour of self-regulation grave concern to members of the Opposition. All for the road transport industry, and strongly members should be supporting a policy of supports the efforts of the Road Transport looking after our primary exports. Forum. I know that, from time to time, there are Would that not be a wonderful state of certain aspects of the RTF with which we are affairs for our producers! They would have paid unhappy. However, I believe that that forum, for the transport system that allows overseas under the chairmanship of Bruce McIver, is competitors to freight their imported goods to endeavouring to do what is best for the transport our shops at minimal cost, or even no cost, to the needs of this nation as a whole. In particular, it overseas competitor. In many cases, the supports uniformity of a core of road overseas competitor is producing the goods at rules—which I believe all members lower efficiency than that of the local counterpart endorse—with State-by-State variations as local but is able to stay in business only because his conditions dictate. I know that, from time to own Government has erected a tariff barrier, time—— locking out the Australian competitor. Mr Hamill: No State has given stronger support than Queensland. I do not favour tariff protection of Australian industry where it is used to prop up inefficient, Mr JOHNSON: I was about to make lazy and badly managed local industry, but I do reference to that fact. The Minister is aware that I believe that, where an overseas producer wants support him on that point. Recently, I heard an to trade with Australia, it should be required to interview conducted with the Minister on a pay for the use of the infrastructure that it makes morning talkback show on one of the Brisbane use of. The local producer will, in many cases, radio stations. He was asked about two-up spend a great sum in development of markets drivers for bus operations throughout this State. only to discover that, once he has established a The Minister stood on his dig and did not market, it will be invaded by an overseas operator support that concept for Queensland. However, who has invested nothing in the development of the Minister and the Government must support the market. what is best for the needs of Queensland transport, not those of New South Wales or The same applies to our transport Victoria, whose needs are divorced totally from infrastructure. Overseas manufacturers pay those of this State. I commend the Minister for nothing for our roads, but they still reap the his stance on that issue. However, at present, benefit of them for the transport of their there is a disappointing lack of anything in the products. During question time this morning, the Transport Infrastructure Bill to indicate a national Minister for Business, Industry and Regional rather than a parochial view on road transport. Development mentioned that fact. I hope that the Minister for Transport takes his comments on If I could just go back to the subject of board. ports—the same criticism I made on the subject of two-up driving applies to the waterfront. We Mr Hamill: What was that? have just completed an extremely expensive Mr JOHNSON: Jim Elder referred to program of waterfront reform or, should I say, developing transport needs so that the bribing geriatric wharfies to leave the industry. manufacturing industry can get on with the job. The irony is that in the area of containerised cargo Australia imports much more than it I turn to the national perspective. The next exports. The major portion of cargo handled by issue that I wish to raise is this: how does the wharfies is imports, not exports. However, the Transport Infrastructure Bill fit into an overall road nations that will gain from our waterfront reform transport strategy for Australia? At present, the programs have not contributed anything to the nation has an overall commitment to transport cost. reform, but we never see any Bill pass through this House that supports or even acknowledges To add insult to injury, Australia will the efforts at a national level to coordinate road frequently find itself refused admission to the transport. It appears that the Queensland markets in those same countries even though Government has forgotten that we have a our producers are more efficient, more cost national body named the National Road competitive and more quality competitive. I Transport Commission to coordinate a national consider that those countries seeking to trade effort on road transport. with Australia should pay for the infrastructure that they use. Nowhere is this more relevant than I can assure the House that the Opposition in the field of transport. has not forgotten the efforts of the NRTC and 22 February 1994 7086 Legislative Assembly

Nations exporting goods to Australia use Mr JOHNSON: It is not a matter of labour our port facilities, our coastal navigation facilities costs. Although South African wages are and, in the course of trade, our commercial low—indeed, inhumane compared with infrastructure. What is more, they gain access to ours—port authority operation is not labour markets where the buying power of the intensive, and the honourable member knows consumer is maintained by a Government- that. funded wage fixing system. These wages were, We have, by the way, shed over a quarter of in turn, won by the efforts of Australian workers our waterfront labour force in recent times, yet and their unions. we have not noticed a drop in productivity. That We see a series of new challenges for the is absolutely scandalous, because for too many shipping industry, all of which require our port years in this nation we witnessed the lack of authorities to be more outward looking and more effort of waterfront labour and its relationship attuned to world standards of competitive with the unions and Labor administrations. It is performance. I find the Transport Infrastructure about time that Government members realised Bill a terribly bureaucratic and inward looking that exports are the lifeblood of this nation. The document. When I say "terribly bureaucratic", I expeditious transport of exports is of paramount think honourable members, including the importance. Just last week, the nationwide Minister, will agree with me that during its strike—— transformation the department will need to be closely monitored. We need to see just how top Mr Barton: Locked out by the employers, heavy with bureaucrats it becomes. This is of not a strike. grave concern to not only the Opposition but Mr JOHNSON: I will take that interjection. also to everybody in Queensland who believes Government members should look at what that that bureaucracy is taking control of this State. I strike cost our trading partners in lost time, and think that it is now the biggest growth industry in what it has cost our producers. We jeopardised the State. Opposition members will be looking our meat markets. Containers of frozen beef very closely at the department to ensure that this sitting on the wharves throughout this nation are does not once again inhibit the profitability of costing shipping companies $30,000 a week. that industry. Mr Purcell interjected. I will outline some of the challenges faced by the industry which the Transport Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): Infrastructure Bill fails to address. I am, of course, Order! The member for Bulimba! fully aware that the related Harbours Act Mr JOHNSON: Government members Amendment Bill 1993 addressed the maritime think that that is okay, but I have got news for transport sector in more detail. The Transport them. Planning and Coordination Bill 1993 also touched on the subject. However, all the same, I Mr Purcell interjected. see a series of failures by the Government to Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The give the appropriate lead in the area. I believe member for Bulimba will cease interjecting. the Minister is responsible for that failure. The Mr JOHNSON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I first challenge to port authorities is cost and, in thank you for your protection. Queensland, the cost of loading coal in particular. Mr Purcell interjected. At the international level, Queensland ports Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I warn could best compare themselves with the ports of the member for Bulimba under Standing Order South Africa. The cost of loading coal in Richards 123A. Bay, South Africa, is some 70c to 80c per tonne Mr JOHNSON: Before I leave the member lower than that in Gladstone. I know that for Bulimba—— Government members will make the point that Government members interjected. there is a dredging levy in Gladstone that will be removed in 1997, hence the present loading Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The costs are abnormally high. All the same, the member should come back to the Bill and not the costs, even without the dredging levy, are still member for Bulimba. higher in Gladstone than they are at Richards Mr JOHNSON: I just want to finish my Bay. reply to his interjection, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr Purcell: What's the wage structure in There is an arbitration forum in which these South Africa? problems can be sorted out so as not to jeopardise the future of jobs not only on the wharves but right throughout the nation, but that Legislative Assembly 7087 22 February 1994 is how irresponsible those people on the public, it has reversed those decisions, but waterfront are. I urge Government members to those reversals show that private enterprise and show caution and to exercise a little bit of local authorities must be consulted if this Bill and responsibility in future. others like it are to be passed without Government members interjected. opposition. If the provisions of this Bill are to work, everybody has to be consulted to ensure Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The that, through the Department of Transport, we House will come to order. get the best deal for the industry. Mr JOHNSON: Changes to the Recently, a fellow came to see me about a Government owned enterprise legislation will boating query through the Department of mean higher dividend and tax-related charges Harbours and Marine. He has been waiting six for Queensland ports. I agree that the caveat that months for a reply. Every time he has made a the Government has added, that Queensland reference to going to another facet of the ports will not have to pay the levies if it means department—— they will not be able to compete with interstate ports, is a positive move. I point out, however, Mr Hamill: What was the query? that the caveat is not added as an act of Mr JOHNSON: I cannot mention that generosity by the Government but as a matter of here. I shall talk to the Minister privately about it economic reality. I am most concerned also that later. many operations of port authorities are still Mr Hamill: What's he doing on his boat required to provide unrealistic returns to then, if you can't mention it here? Government while at the same time fulfil obligations to Government which are not Mr JOHNSON: I am not going to expose required of private operators in other industries. his name to the Parliament. I do not believe that I should. However, the point is that this matter has We have only to look at reef pilotage to see been shoved from one facet of the Harbours and what could be the effect of privatisation on port Marine Department to the other. I hope that, with operations. The price has dropped considerably the passage of this legislation through the since private enterprise took over this function, House, many of these anomalies and although this may be more to do with the fact that bureaucratic bungling within the Department of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority took Transport will be brought to an all-time finish so over the role from the rather inefficient that we can get some positive results and people Queensland Government. Nevertheless, the can make applications and inquiries in some operations of pilotage services under private sectors and get an answer within a couple of operation are very positive. days rather than in six or seven months. The next challenge facing the port Mr FENLON (Greenslopes) (4.51 p.m.): I authorities of Australia, and Queensland in rise to support the Transport Infrastructure Bill particular, is the issue of what to do in relation to 1993. In doing so, I indicate to the House my port reform. I do not decry what has been done great support for the member for Gregory in to date. I agree that it has been expensive. decrying the forces of economic rationalism. The However, in many cases labour has been member did not point out to the House that reduced by 50 per cent or more, so we are basically what his party has been standing for in seeing a real drop in long-term costs. The real this House for so long is really the forces of question, however, is what needs to be done to economic irrationalism. That is essentially the bring the industry up to a world competitive foundation that was holding together the standard. I do not propose to dwell too much on principles for the conduct of the road system in stevedoring, as I have dealt with it in some detail this State. It really was an irrational system that already. did not have much to do with economics. I will not continue much longer, but the I shall talk about the State-controlled roads point I do want to make is that we should be that are to be managed by the Department of looking more to the expertise of practical people Transport under the Transport Infrastructure Bill. rather than listening to theoretical people. I This Bill is all about accountability—a subject that believe that the economic rationalists in this is dear to my heart. It is certainly a subject that is State have had too much say since this very foreign to members opposite and it is a new administration came to power. The development in Queensland. This Government Government's program of consultation has not has taken great strides to bring accountability to been a positive one. That has to change. I all sectors of Government. mentioned that a while ago. In five areas, the Government implemented decisions and failed. I This Bill will do a very fine job for me in will say that, after a lot of pressure from the disentangling one of the greatest mysteries of public administration that has ever existed in this 22 February 1994 7088 Legislative Assembly

State. In short, I am referring to the debacle Amongst other things, the Bill requires whereby roads have been put into the category criteria to be developed for declaring which of declared roads without any clear rationality or roads should be State controlled. This reasoning behind that. If introducing that sort of fundamental requirement ensures that the rationality into the system means economic legislation has a policy foundation in terms of rationalism, then I am very much for it. providing a direction for the planning and Clause 19 of the Bill clarifies the role of the maintenance of our roads. This has never been Director-General of the Department of Transport clear in the past. As a result, it has been a prime in relation to roads. It clarifies that role as tool for pork-barrelling by previous influencing the total road network whilst directly Governments. This really goes to the heart of controlling roads of State significance within that future accountability, because the criteria must overall network. It also provides that roads of be publicly accessible and locked within a sound State significance include roads of national legislative framework to ensure that we can see significance, which, of course, are the national what roads are being controlled by the State, highways that are funded by the Commonwealth what roads are to be controlled by local Government. This is a very important provision government and why there should be a within the legislation in that it empowers the distinction at all. director-general to control a specific set of roads The Bill will require the Minister to table and to influence the remainder, thereby those criteria as part of the transport providing the appropriate blend of an overall infrastructure strategies. Any future declaration strategic perspective and autonomy in decision of a State-controlled road must be consistent making by the various local governments. with those criteria. We could ask no more in this The word "strategic" is really the key aspect State in terms of sound principles of of this Bill because, for the first time, this accountability. We could ask no more than for legislation really does provide a framework, a set this Parliament to be the ultimate repository of of mechanisms and a statutory foundation to that accountability; to have those criteria tabled ensure that our road network is constructed, so that they are accessible to the public and to maintained and developed in a strategic way that have them as the foundation to drive those will allow the State Government to set clear policy strategies in the future. objectives which allow us to aim towards If someone wishes to construct a State particular economic developments within the Government funded road to the Ten Mile State and to provide for prioritisation of those property, for example, the Minister will need to developments in terms of what is important to change the criteria and publish that in the the State in a particular era. This legislation also House. Indeed, that is a very far cry from the has vision, because it allows the State to ensure underhand approaches that existed in the past that the policy visions are fully carried out in an in this State when the Government of the day efficient and effective manner. could look after its mates in a particular area and The roads to be controlled by the director- the processes were absolutely general are to be known as State-controlled hidden—obscured from the public. This is a fine roads, which replaces that rather meaningless move to ensure that those mechanisms are term "declared road" which has existed in this easily understood and obtainable by the public. State since the 1920s. This will mean a great This is totally consistent with the Government's change to day-to-day public administration in commitment to openness and accountability in Queensland. The use of that term since the spending public funds. It is a very fine piece of 1920s really has not done a great deal to legislation, and I commend the Minister for improve the public's understanding of that introducing this Bill to the House. distinction. I am sure that if I went out into my Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) electorate today and told my constituents that (5 p.m.): In rising to speak on the Transport Old Cleveland Road and the South East Infrastructure Bill, I am aware of its relationship Freeway are declared roads, most of them would with the Transport Planning and Coordination not know what I am talking about. But in the Bill, which was introduced by the Minister last future, if I talk about those roads as being year and which passed through this House last State-controlled roads, that very fine use of the week. I recognise that this is one of a number of English language will ensure that people do Bills—to use the Minister's terminology, a "family understand what we are talking about. It is time of Bills"—that relate to this subject. They that this legislation was changed, updated and represent a model of considered planning. put into accessible form. This goes a long way When I attended a briefing given by towards providing that. departmental officers explaining the way this is organised, I was reminded that it is not unlike Legislative Assembly 7089 22 February 1994 what happened to the Education Act during a I would like to quote for the House debate in 1987. That enormous Act was broken something that came to mind when I started into more manageable pieces. The Minister has developing this concept. I think back to the time not done exactly the same thing with this Bill, but when the maintenance of railways in there is certainly some sort of order about it. In Queensland was undertaken properly. I am years to come, people who are involved in aware of those people who are connected with education will find it easy to go to the sections of line maintenance. I saw personally the impact on the Education Act that deal specifically with those people of the rationalisation of railway particular matters. Possibly, this Bill will have the service delivery. The Government reduced the same effect. In that regard, I can see that there is number of depots. Very many of those depots merit in the way that these things have been were in small towns with populations of only 150 organised. or 200 people. The people had given their lives However, when I was at that briefing with the to working on the maintenance gangs at those departmental officers, they were discussing this particular places. They may have owned houses Bill and explaining the various flow charts and with real estate values fo $30,000 or $40,000. how things would work. I realised that it was just As a result of the rationalisation of the one model and that other models could be also department with a view to driving the dollar be used. I have a leaning towards a greater use further, those people were pushed into larger of the Coordinator-General having an overview towns. of what is happening in the various construction I could cite cases of people from Dulacca departments across the State. That is a good being relocated into Chinchilla. People from model whereby we would not end up with a Yuleba went into Roma. People from Jandowae super Ministry. The overriding action of the went into Dalby. Some of those people on low Coordinator-General working closely with the incomes were probably still paying off their Premier's Department and Treasury would be homes, which were worth $30,000 or $40,000. able to achieve the same goals as the model in All of sudden they had to uproot their families to the Bill—without having the clumsiness of move to, say, Roma. That caused them to incur a creating a super Ministry. debt of $50,000 to $60,000. Many of those I am sure that members of the Government people were middle-aged and that represented would recognise that there are some criticisms of an enormous hurdle for them to overcome. In the two super Ministries created by the Goss some of the instances that I know of the wives Government. Complaints relate to the lack of and children have stayed in the smaller town and access to the Minister and the Minister being too the husband has commuted to work on tied up with the organisational side of things weekdays and come home on the weekends. rather than the hands-on side of things. I accept Those are the social ramifications to which I refer. that this is the preferred option of the That example makes the comparison Government of the day. It wants to go down the between good government and good business track with this model. I lean more towards the very difficult. The social cost has to be taken into greater use of the Coordinator-General. account. I believe that the Government has done It is often said that good government can be a disservice to the blue-collar workers involved in like good business. That is a bit of a bland the railway line maintenance. I fear that that is statement. It is too much of a generalisation. It similar to the concept that is emerging in terms of implies that good government is about the most road funding and implications that that has efficient use of money and resources. I will not across shire councils for those who are involved argue about that. The difference lies in the fact in roadworks. I will give some examples. I am told that government must always take account of a by people in my local governments that in order social factor. I would suggest that in the to get greater efficiency out of the transport road administration of this Government, in some funding dollar, we are moving towards big cases the public is finding examples coming projects—nothing under $2m. The ramifications through where the consideration given to social that flow from that affect the councils and the factors is lacking. It is possible to be driven too workers within those councils. They affect whole much by academic models. It is possible to be rural communities. driven too much by planning for efficiencies in I cite the case of the Chinchilla Shire business models and not having enough regard Council. I understand that 50 per cent of its to those social factors that impact heavily on the annual income comes from either construction people. We should understand that the State for the Department of Transport or maintenance Government is there to represent the people for the Department of Transport. I understand and that it should make decisions that consider that the maintenance factor will still be there, but the needs and wishes of all the people. there is a very real fear that the construction work 22 February 1994 7090 Legislative Assembly for the Transport Department will be gone. I am through a consideration of the way road funding told that a real fear exists that the Chinchilla Shire is utilised right across Queensland. Based on Council will not be called on for major projects for the information they had received, the the next five years. That has enormous councillors had concerns that they wanted the ramifications for the budgetary considerations of spokesman to answer. Their concerns were the council. At Christmas time the Chinchilla similar to those that I just cited in relation to the Shire Council retrenched nine people. Chinchilla Shire. The councillors from the other Consider the social ramifications for the shires asked, "If you are going to have only individual. Work is very scarce. A person has a projects of $2m, do you understand that not certain range of skills that are not easily many of those happen in our shires very often? relocatable. That person's life has been What will happen to our workforce in the years dislocated. The retail houses in town will find when we have no work at all?" that, because of the retrenchment of those nine It has been suggested that shire councils people, the cash flow of probably seven families can take up subcontract work for other shire will not be going through the community. councils. That is not very practical. Imagine a Perhaps people will relocate to the cities. If shire council based at Mitchell and its workforce people do not find work in the town, they will go is asked by the council to do some to the cities, where they will face a hike in real subcontracting work at Surat or perhaps up at estate prices. The impact is very wide. In terms of Augathella. Firstly, the quality of life for the the retailing and the cash flow it flows right across personnel would be terrible. Secondly, with the local government and across the community. costs incurred in overnight camping, I doubt that Then there are the ramifications on an individual that the Booringa Shire Council would be able to level. In the really small towns it can flow on to the compete against someone else and win the loss of a second schoolteacher or the loss of contract. There is a very real risk that the jobs second police officer. This generally reduces the would be gone. quality of life. That brings me to my next concern. It is all In the last four years, I have made a right when the big contractor is working on big generalisation in an effort to explain the projects, spending $2m in getting the job done approach of the Government that I was a part of and giving good value for money in return. compared with the style of this Government. It However, something out of the ordinary always may be a pretty crude sort of generalisation, but I happens, and a work force must be available to think that the coalition Government and the do a job at short notice, no matter how small that National Party Government tried to make the job may be. The big contractors will not want a public service fit to meet the needs of wherever bar of such work. The cost of relocation is too it went. That took a lot of flexibility. In this case, high for them. They are not geared to work on where I see things being developed and small projects. If we take away so much work from planned according to an academic model, I have the councils that they lose their machinery and to say that it may work through most sizes of their capacity to undertake smaller jobs, country towns but it does not seem to fit when it comes areas will become very difficult to service, and to the very small towns. Because to give those the people in those areas will become very people a public service does not seem to fit into unhappy. Many shire councils have a fairly large the program, they miss out. It has been those machinery pool, which is very expensive to little towns with a population of 1 000 people and maintain. They have very real fears that the under that have really missed out. I am sure impact of the road reform recommendations will members on both sides of the House would be be such that they will no longer have any use for able to cite cases of little towns that they know their machinery. Some pieces of machinery have that have suffered because of the rationalisation been purchased under a hire-purchase and the overemphasis on driving the dollar arrangement; some have been purchased further without really considering that through loans. As a result of these road reforms, government is about doing things for people the councils will have to unload their machinery, and keeping the needs of people—and the and not many people will want to buy it. impact of Government on the people—in mind to Consequently, local authorities could lose the uppermost. money in unloading that machinery. Those are Late last year, I took leave from Parliament the concerns that I envisage with this Bill. and I was able to attend the Local Government I understand that the Government wants Association conference at Mitchell. Part of the transport planning, and that this Bill forms part of program at that conference was an address by a suite of Bills that will provide a transport the Road Reform Committee—a committee structure. However, I have listened to the people within the Transport Department that is going whom I represent and I have listened to the local Legislative Assembly 7091 22 February 1994 government councillors who represent the same department is then able to utilise those funds people, and I can say that there is a fear that this not only efficiently but also with due Bill is just another case of rationalisation that will consideration for the social impact of the people have a negative effect on rural Queensland. in those areas. People in rural Queensland have experienced Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) the rationalisation of the Justice Department, (5.14 p.m.): One of the most important issues through which they lost the services that their highlighted in the SEQ 2001 transport policy courthouses provided. More than 60 paper was the historical lack of integration courthouses were abolished. Despite what Tom between land use and transport decisions, Burns has to say, only 13 Government agencies resulting in a relatively inefficient urban form with in rural Queensland have tried to take on the excessive travel demand by residents and workload of more than 60 courthouses. The commercial operations. In turn, this lack of result has been that many small towns no longer integration has resulted in an overreliance on the have that service. The rationalisation of the DPI private motor vehicle as the principal and has created the very real loss of other services in preferred means of transport, causing a high rural Queensland. I have referred already to the associated social, financial and environmental rationalisation of the rail lines and the rail service. cost. Ultimately, those costs are borne by the A good example of rationalisation is Q-Link, whole community. which was created to improve the efficiency of The SEQ 2001 transport study group the small freight business within Queensland recognised that, in the main, land use and Rail. I have spoken to people in towns such as transport planning takes place as separate Dalby, Roma and Chinchilla. They have told me activities with inadequate recognition given to that it works well. One person to whom I spoke interrelation, even though the interaction told me that he used it to have a refrigerator between land use and transport is a two-way delivered. He told me that the system worked process determining the form of cities and well, and that Q-Link provided a good service. component suburbs. The central point made by However, people in smaller towns have told me the Transport Planning Advisory Group is that that Q-Link is a disaster. Those people, who existing and proposed transport infrastructure have small retailing businesses, and who are and services influence the location, nature and trying to compete with the retailers in the larger intensity of development. Consequently, towns, find that the service that Q-Link provides changes in land use are the main generator of is impossible. In some cases, the products arrive demand changes for transport systems. too late for the mail runs and to service the needs of the people. In other cases, the Among other things, the Transport products have arrived damaged. Consequently, Planning Advisory Group recommended their businesses have suffered. People now fear establishing and maintaining a clearly defined, rationalisation and superplanning. recognisable and adequate road hierarchy to promote safe road movement and to preserve My preferred model for road funding is not, residential amenity, as well as co-locating the as this Bill indicates, to make central funding major infrastructure services within transportation allocation decisions that will achieve the corridors. Therefore, it is appropriate that two of maximum use of the road construction dollar. the key aims of the Transport Infrastructure Bill Instead, we would be better off going down the are to put in place the necessary strategic track of giving out allocations to the various framework for the overall planning of transport regions. The regions could work out their infrastructure throughout Queensland and to priorities, all the while being supervised by the coordinate transport in a way that provides both Coordinator-General. I am concerned that the economic and social benefits to the whole need to spend the most money where the most community. people are located will dominate to such an extent that we will not give sufficient As the Minister outlined in his consideration to meeting the strategic needs of second-reading speech, this Bill is one of a the transportation of products and the service of number of pieces of legislation that are designed industries in far-flung places, nor take the to overhaul significantly the way in which tourism industry into consideration. By transport infrastructure and services are planned centralising our planning, we can get out of and provided in this State. Given the ongoing touch, become too inflexible and certainly significant increases in population, residential become impersonal. I would much prefer a development and commercial activity in system whereby funds are allocated—not Queensland, this legislation is indeed timely, necessarily on an equal basis—to the various although its importance may not be realised in branches of the Transport Department. Through the community for years to come. consultation with local authorities, the 22 February 1994 7092 Legislative Assembly

As we all know, transport infrastructure roads, is obvious. One need only drive along planning is not achieved without a degree of Mains Road to appreciate how residents who live pain or discomfort in the community. However, alongside this road have barricaded themselves the level of pain or discomfort that is behind high fences and closed doors and experienced by sections, or pockets, of the windows to escape the noise and pollution that broader community will only heighten unless is generated by traffic on Mains Road. In greater attention is paid to forward planning and common with the residents of Underwood, coordination. Every day, not only in south-east which is another suburb in my electorate, those Queensland but also throughout the State, people who live alongside Mains Road are the areas that used to be farmland or bushland are victims of the very poor and ill-considered being opened up for residential and commercial transport infrastructure and coordination development. planning of the past. Although Governments at all levels have Although I have already defended, and will responded to protect important features of our continue to defend, the use of environmental environment and landscape from the scorched- impact assessments as an essential planning earth activities that were characteristic of tool, particularly in relation to planning transport development in the past, clearly greater infrastructure such as major roads, I also attention must be paid to forward planning so acknowledge that the EIA process can cause that those features of our environment are significant concern and uncertainty in afforded appropriate degrees of protection. communities. However, I believe that those When I say "environment", I do not mean just concerns can be addressed in the medium to protecting the remaining bushland in urban long term through legislation such as this Bill, areas, although that is an important issue. We which provides the framework for long-term also need to pay more attention to air quality, planning and management of transport residential amenity and the location of infrastructure throughout the State. commercial and industrial activity and services I will dwell on the southern Brisbane bypass such as schools, hospitals and recreational issue for a moment because, as I have said facilities. Of course, those important already, not only is it an important issue for my considerations must be balanced with the need constituents but it is also relevant to the need for for people to access employment, commercial, transport infrastructure planning. Last week, I recreational and educational facilities efficiently, spoke in this House about a shabby land deal at and to provide options other than just the use of Stretton that involved the former Liberal privately owned motor vehicles. Brisbane City Council swapping parkland to During the course of the independent provide for a future road corridor for what has environmental impact assessment, which was now become known as the southern Brisbane commissioned to assess the need for a southern bypass. Brisbane bypass linking the Gateway Arterial with This land swap, which involved the former the Logan Motorway, those issues exercised the Liberal council and developers, is a classic minds of many of my constituents. With respect example of why this type of legislation is to this Bill, the very fact that such an in-depth needed. We must not allow this kind of analysis of the need or otherwise for this bypass arrangement to continue. Residents and road is necessary is a very obvious prospective land buyers in the area were not demonstration that, in the past, there have been made aware of future road plans. That is why I significant deficiencies in transport infrastructure strongly believe that the road corridor—— planning and coordination. Mrs Sheldon: You're telling them, are One of the most significant observations to you? You're giving them the truth about what's come out of the environmental impact going to happen about that road, are you? assessment for a southern Brisbane bypass thus far is that, should this major road go ahead, it will Mr ROBERTSON: I have told the truth have little impact on the existing traffic flows on about the history of the former Liberal council's roads throughout my electorate. It must be involvement in setting aside a road corridor acknowledged by the community that, as a result without telling anyone. of the increase in population that south-east Mrs Sheldon: What's your Minister going Queensland has experienced, and will continue to do? to experience in the future, there will be Mr ROBERTSON: If the member listened significant increases in private motor vehicle a bit more closely, she would hear the rest of the ownership. The pressure that such increases in story. That is why I believe the road corridor at population place on the existing road network Stretton, which was identified in council plans at and, in particular, those who live beside major least as far back as 1987, cannot be used for Legislative Assembly 7093 22 February 1994 future planning purposes. It would be grossly I also reiterate my ongoing concerns about unfair to the residents of Stretton to construct a the future of Karawatha forest. These concerns major road in their backyards. At the time of are not simply limited to the possibility of a major purchasing their land in the Cresthaven estate, road being constructed along the edge of this they were not made aware of the possibility of important area of remaining urban bushland. I the construction of such a road. The original road also hold serious concerns about the impact of corridor is located inappropriately. Residents will future urban development in this area, an impact not be spared the impacts associated with the that could be as profound on Karawatha as that construction of major roads. The former Liberal resulting from the construction of a major road. council stands condemned for this. One need Whether it be a road or urban development, the only look at the map tabled in this House last fact remains that the boundary of Karawatha week by the member for Archerfield to forest, and the extent to which this bushland is appreciate the potential impact of such a road on protected, will be determined by future the residents of Stretton. development. Therefore, it is with the future of Mr Hamill: But why do they allow Karawatha forest in mind that I believe that, subdivisions around there? through the use of proper transport planning and coordination measures—measures which Mr ROBERTSON: As the Minister knows, recognise the local or regional significance of it was part of a shabby land swap deal which, open space, bushland reserves or even firstly, took away parkland from residents in developed resident areas—considered and Stretton and, secondly, located a road corridor in sensitive transport infrastructure and planning their backyards. can be used in some circumstances as a useful Mr Hamill: And the local alderman was means to protect important areas. involved. As the Minister is aware, over past months I Mr ROBERTSON: The Minister is right; have raised with him—as I have with the the local alderman, the pretender for the city independent consultants—a wide range of other council, was involved. I become more convinced matters in relation to the Southern Brisbane of this view whenever I drive past the houses of Bypass Environmental Impact Assessment. I my constituents in Underwood, who have remain confident that these matters will receive suffered for many years as a result of the South due consideration by the consultants East Freeway being built less than 30 metres commissioned to conduct the EIA, as I am from their property lines. There can be no clearer confident that my representations to the Minister example of the need to get transport on behalf of my constituents will not have been infrastructure planning right than what has in vain. As I see it, the Transport Infrastructure happened to these constituents, who have Bill, and the Bills to follow, will help communities suffered at the hands of a previous Government to better understand why particular transport that could not have cared less about the impact plans or infrastructure are necessary. of major roads on ordinary people. Importantly, they will also assist in the I also acknowledge that the current community's understanding of the objectives environmental impact assessment has caused behind particular transport infrastructure significant concern in the Kuraby community. decisions. One of the options under consideration for the I believe this is an important outcome if we southern bypass goes through existing farmland are to remain committed, as we must, to and land that is occupied by small businesses consultation with the general public during the and churches. The owners and users of these decision-making process through the use of properties have every right to be concerned and environmental impact studies. Long-term upset. Again, at no time in the past was the coordinated transport planning should assist in eastern part of Kuraby contemplated for a abandoning the blank sheet to community possible road corridor. Even so, I can consultation and would greatly assist understand how such an option may have been communities to better understand the need for considered by the independent consultants, particular infrastructure projects. It would also given the absence of proper transport planning provide communities with options or alternatives and coordination by successive councils up to that can be considered at the commencement of 1991. However, I have no hesitation in stating the consultation process and not as a result of my opposition to the construction of a major road the process. Therefore, the justifiable frustration that is built next to residential property lines at often experienced by residents voicing genuine Stretton, or a road that could detrimentally affect concerns, as distinct from those motivated by so many small business, farming and religious politics, can be addressed and minimised as they communities. become more aware and educated participants in the consultation process. 22 February 1994 7094 Legislative Assembly

One of the important features of this Bill is House. Although it may not solve the problems the attention given to coordination and planning created by the inadequate infrastructure between different modes of transport. This is planning of the past, it enables these mistakes one point that I argued strenuously in my not to be repeated in the future. submission to both the consultants and the In conclusion, I again express my hope that Minister on the southern Brisbane bypass issue. my representations and expressed justifiable I would hope that one of the outcomes of the concerns in relation to the possible impacts of closer coordination and strategic planning will be the southern Brisbane bypass are considered a greater degree of control over how growth is and receive appropriate consideration. managed on a local, regional and Statewide basis. Through strategic decision making and Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of planning, transport infrastructure, whether the Liberal Party) (5.29 p.m.): The very name of existing or planned, can be used in a way that this Bill should make the people of Queensland directs population growth and development angry. The Transport Infrastructure Bill—what a along preferred local or regional corridors. joke! Where is the transport infrastructure from Therefore, in the long term, environmental this Government? impacts can be assessed more effectively, and Mr Fenlon interjected. forms of transport infrastructure other than roads Mrs SHELDON: The member for can be viewed by planners, the Government and Greenslopes, Mr Fenlon, would know; he is the the community as viable alternatives. In other greatest joke who has ever walked through the words, strategic transport infrastructure planning doors of this Chamber. can be the catalyst to revitalise public transport in all of its forms which, in turn, may reduce demand Mr Fenlon: You are. for the construction of more major roads, Mrs SHELDON: For four years, members particularly in major population centres. As a opposite have held the Treasury benches. For result, long-term planning of transport four years, the people of Queensland have infrastructure becomes a pro-active planning tool suffered a public transport system which is a instead of a reactive one, as is currently the case, misnomer. I refer to one of the fastest growing which, it can be argued, is less efficient and areas in Australia, the Sunshine Coast—an area ultimately more costly to the community. of which the Minister is very well aware. He Importantly, from the point of view of the knows very well that the people of that area hold need for integrated planning, it also becomes an him in total disregard. My electorate of Caloundra integral part of urban and town planning, more so is located on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine than occurs at present. It is also through strategic Coast, including Caboolture, had the fastest planning in the provision of transport growing population in Australia between 1986 infrastructure—and, therefore, by implication, and 1991. In fact, the Federal seat of Fisher grew transport modes—that important issues such as at a rate of 41.1 per cent, while the Federal seat equality of access and participation by all of Fairfax grew at a rate of 38.7 per cent. Mr sections of the community in employment, Deputy Speaker, you would have to agree that commercial, recreational and educational those are pretty phenomenal growth rates which services and activities can be effectively record just how popular the belt between addressed. Through strategic planning, the Brisbane and Noosa has become. specific needs of the elderly, the unemployed, Mr Beattie interjected. people on low incomes, women, youth, and Mrs SHELDON: Is that the member for people with disabilities can be recognised and the gaslight area in the Valley—the member for responded to. An absence of planning and Commercial Road? It is not difficult to realise that coordination of services and infrastructure the growth of the Sunshine Coast will continue merely accentuates and exacerbates the to increase at those rates. inequalities experienced by these groups. The absence of strategic transport infrastructure One would think that the State Government planning also impacts on the amenity of would have responded to the massive growth residential areas in cities and towns throughout rate in the area by providing a transport Queensland. infrastructure to cater for it. One could even be forgiven for thinking that the State Government By providing certainty about the would provide a public transport system that responsibility for the component parts of the would cater for that growth and give Sunshine overall road and transport network, local Coast residents the ability to utilise bus and train government will, I believe, be assisted in systems rather than use their own cars. One addressing issues such as traffic calming in would think that if the Minister, Mr Hamill, had any residential streets. Therefore, this legislation concern for the environment, he would be deserves the support of all members of the Legislative Assembly 7095 22 February 1994 working towards that end. A perusal of the Minister knows the area—and I do not know figures reveals that that has not been the case. whether he does—he would be aware that In fact, only 4 per cent of Sunshine Coast Nambour, where many Sunshine Coast residents use public transport to travel to and residents work, is literally within the Sunshine from work. Coast precinct. Mr Hamill: Why is that? As this Government showed with its Mrs SHELDON: If the Minister listens, he ill-conceived bid to close rail lines across the might find out. His record on this issue does not State last year, its transport system is far from read well. Four per cent is certainly a pathetic perfect and, in many cases, hopelessly figure. inadequate. In common with the train system, bus transport on the Sunshine Coast is also Mr Hamill: Is that because you've got poor under stress. It is time that this State public transport on the Sunshine Coast? Government stopped blaming everyone and Mrs SHELDON: Before the Minister tries everything else, including Mr Hamill trying to to blame the residents, which he just did, I point blame the private transport operators, for the out that the fact is that people would use public appalling state—— transport on the Sunshine Coast if a system that Mr Hamill: You were. catered for their needs was provided. Such a system does not exist. Mrs SHELDON: They were the Minister's words, not mine. It is time that this State Mr Hamill: Are you attacking the private Government stopped blaming everyone and operators? everything else for the appalling state of public Mrs SHELDON: We are talking about transport on the Sunshine Coast and in many public transport. What has the Minister done to other areas in Queensland. help provide public transport on the Sunshine Even worse for the Sunshine Coast is the Coast? number of people who require public transport. Mr Hamill: A 40 per cent subsidy to the With an unemployment rate still in the high operators. teens, there are thousands of Sunshine Coast Mrs SHELDON: Nothing! The Sunshine residents who cannot afford their own transport. Coast Commuters Association—a group of They rely on the public system. Obviously, which the Minister would be very well aware and Government members are not interested in one which does not hold him in high people who cannot afford their own transport. esteem—has fought long and hard to have the So much for the party of the workers and the rail link between Nambour and Brisbane battlers! There is also a very high percentage of improved, but to little avail. For example, there is households on the Sunshine Coast with an a four-hour gap in the services from Brisbane to annual income of under $16,000. In fact, about Nambour in the middle of the day. After 12.20 24 per cent of households fall into that category. p.m., passengers wanting to return to the The recent Sunshine Coast Human Needs Sunshine Coast from Brisbane must wait until Study illustrated in graphic terms how the after 4.20 p.m. to catch the train. That means that Queensland Labor Government has failed to hundreds, if not thousands, of potential meet the public transport needs of the Sunshine commuters are not using the train. People on Coast since 1989. The study showed that every flexible hours or on shift work who finish just after sector of the Sunshine Coast was dissatisfied lunch have to wait until the rush hour—until with the public transport system—I emphasise 4.30—before they can catch a train to the "every sector". That is the people speaking, not Sunshine Coast. One would have to agree that the politicians. Every sector of the Sunshine that eliminates many commuters who want to use Coast said that there were deficiencies in the the train. public transport system. Those wanting to travel to Brisbane for Mr Johnson interjected. shopping in the morning would have to use a car Mrs SHELDON: Does the member mean instead or wait all day to return. Tertiary students trying to save Soorley? He is dead right. The who attend morning lectures will not use the train Government does not really think about the because they are not able to return to the people of this State at all. A perusal of the Bill Sunshine Coast until about 6 p.m. Some makes that fact very clear. service! There is no morning commuter service to Nambour from southern stations, which again An Opposition member interjected. forces those living in the towns of Woombye, Mrs SHELDON: No, he certainly is not Landsborough, Beerwah, Mooloolah and others worth saving. In fact, of all the human needs to use cars to travel to work in Nambour. If the studies undertaken, public transport was the 22 February 1994 7096 Legislative Assembly most significant element of dissatisfaction on the There are several areas in planning and Sunshine Coast. transport that I believe could be improved and Mr Beattie interjected. that would, if adopted by the Minister for Transport, lead to a major improvement in the Mrs SHELDON: The Labor Party Sunshine Coast transport system. These are wonders why its members are not elected to some of the services which, if provided, would seats in the Sunshine Coast region. I suggest really help, so I ask the Minister to consider them that its members listen. In fact, of all the human seriously. Firstly, there should be commuter needs studies undertaken, public transport was minibuses to existing rail line terminals to provide the most significant element of dissatisfaction on viable access—— the Sunshine Coast. The study demonstrated that the people of the Noosa and Maroochy Mr Hamill: Should the Government buy Shires and of Caloundra City believe that public these? transport in their areas is unbelievably Mrs SHELDON: Is the Minister telling me inadequate. that he is not responsible for planning the The Sunshine Coast Human Needs Study transport system in this State? What a pathetic Table 2.9.1 showed that 80 per cent of the example the Minister is! There should be community—I repeat "80 per cent of the commuter minibuses to existing rail line terminals community"—were not satisfied with the range to provide viable access to the rail system for of bus routes; 85 per cent were not satisfied with tens of thousands of people living along the the frequency of bus services; 94 per cent were coastal strip in Caloundra City, Kawana, dissatisfied with night and weekend services; 86 Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa. per cent were dissatisfied with the frequency of There should be the construction of a rail spur—I train services—I repeat that 86 per cent were wonder whether the Minister has heard of that unhappy with those services—and 81 per cent concept—from Landsborough to Caloundra and were unhappy with the transport available for north to Cooroy and Noosa. special needs. In fact, the average satisfaction Mr Hamill: It's an absolute sham. rate for public transport on the Sunshine Coast Mrs SHELDON: A rail spur is a sham, is it? from a range of areas surveyed was a pitiful 24 The Minister should tell the people who are per cent. According to those surveyed, night advocating the construction of a rail spur that and weekend services are particularly bad. I have they are a sham. That is what the Minister is heard that complaint time and time again from saying. He will not even look at planning residents of the Sunshine Coast. This State adequate infrastructure for transport on the Labor Government has to begin to take the Sunshine Coast. Where is the Minister's plan? transport needs of the Sunshine Coast seriously Where is it? or face a major public transport collapse. Mr Hamill: You are totally devoid of policy. A Government member interjected. Mrs SHELDON: Where is the Minister's Mrs SHELDON: If the honourable plan? member is wondering where the money is coming from, that question should be directed to Mr Hamill: You are totally devoid of policy. the Treasurer. Last week in this House, he said, Mrs SHELDON: Where is the Minister's "We are awash with funds. We have all this plan? He does not have one! There should be a wonderful economic management and all this regular bus service, through minibuses if extra money coming in—$80m in half a year." necessary, from coastal and railway towns to How about spending some of that money on Nambour for access to the hospital—I wonder public transport on the Sunshine Coast? No whether the Minister has heard of the hospital at doubt, those funds will go into some of Labor's Nambour—and a similar service to Maroochydore marginal electorates, which it will have to work for access to the State and Federal Government like hell to try to hold onto. offices and agencies located there. As I said, the State Labor Government has Mr Hamill interjected. to begin to take the transport needs of Sunshine Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Briskey): Coast seriously or face a major public transport Order! The Minister will cease interjecting. collapse in the future, as population growth outstrips an already overburdened system. The Mrs SHELDON: A major problem is that Minister would have to agree that all the the hospital is located at Nambour and the predictions for that area are for huge growth. The Government agencies are located at Minister has done nothing on a planning basis to Maroochydore, but people up and down the cope with that growth. coast from Caloundra to Noosa cannot access those facilities. Most of the people in that area are elderly. As I said, the average annual income Legislative Assembly 7097 22 February 1994 for many of them is $16,000. What the Minister is turnoff. It is inadequate now; God knows what it saying is, "Right, you have to get there on your will be like a few years down the track. own steam—use your own cars", because this Generally speaking, when it comes to Minister has done not one stroke of planning. transport infrastructure planning and to providing When I asked him the question, he could not the services for the people on the Sunshine answer it. He has no plan. The need for a total Coast the Minister has abrogated his duty revamp—— entirely. Really, the people of the Sunshine Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. I am Coast have every reason to be wary of the happy to outline the Government's transport Minister and his distrusted Government. After all, plan for the Sunshine Coast, which the Liberal it was the Minister opposite, who is now getting Party was supporting. A plan or no plan? Does up and walking away, and his boss the Premier the honourable member support her who broke their promise over the Sunshine spokesperson on it? Motorway. Does the Minister remember that Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no one? They refused to lift the tolls in 1989 and point of order. reinforced their deceit by building a new toll road from Bli Bli to Coolum—which has a very high A Government member interjected. toll—and at the same time closing the alternative Mrs SHELDON: We are talking about the route through Bli Bli Creek Road. He is a great Sunshine Coast. Where is the Government's guy, this Minister. If he goes up there, the plan for the Sunshine Coast? It does not have people will lynch him. one. There is a need for a total revamp of the Mr Hamill interjected. public transport system to cater for the new Sunshine Coast university at Sippy Downs. Mrs SHELDON: Is the Minister telling me that there is a Hamill fan club up there? This Government members interjected. Government's record on the provision of a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The decent public transport system on the Sunshine honourable member will be heard. Coast is one of broken promises, inept decision Mrs SHELDON: We are building a making and a failure to take the bull by the horns. university at Sippy Downs and the main problem In a region of high unemployment, a large is going to be—— number of social security recipients, high numbers of elderly and a very low average Mr Hamill: We are. income, public transport is more important than Mrs SHELDON: It is not the ever. Government's money, it is the taxpayers' money. When it comes to the Sunshine Coast Government members say, "Big deal, look at public transport system, I call on the Minister to what we are doing." It is not their money, it is the stop his dithering and his inefficiency and taxpayers' money that they are using. That is the through proper planning and provision of bottom line. Of course, the Government does services to make an attempt—after all, that is his not spread it equally; it generally just slots it into responsibility; that is what he is elected to do—to Labor electorates. give the people of this fast growing area a public The fact is that we, the people, are building transport system that they have every right to a Sunshine Coast university and that the deserve. students are not going to be able to gain access Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) to it because it is not serviced by public (5.43 p.m.): I do not think that contribution from transport. This Minister does not really care. the honourable member for Caloundra should There is no transport for the students to get go by without some response. there. No plans have been made. Mrs Sheldon: Is this the honourable Fourthly, the four-lane highway that the member for gaslights, is it? Minister promised to the people of Caloundra from the Caloundra turnoff has now been Mr BEATTIE: If the honourable member shelved. In his own media release the Minister will come down to the gaslights, I will enlighten himself said that $14m had been put aside to her, because she needs some enlightening. cater for this road. Now that there will be—or we Mrs Sheldon interjected. hope there will be—an arterial toll road coming in, Mr BEATTIE: If the honourable member the Minister has put the expenditure of that wants to come for a walk on the wild side with me, $14m on the back burner. He says that a toll road that is fine. All she has to do is name the time. will cater for those needs. In other words, people Mr Hamill: Is she your old flame, is she? will be forced to use that toll road because of the inadequacy of the road from Caloundra to the Mr BEATTIE: If that is the case, my flame is running dim. I do need to respond to a couple 22 February 1994 7098 Legislative Assembly of matters raised by the member for Caloundra. table our transport policy when the Minister One of the great classics in this debate about the tables his. He has not got one. Sunshine Coast Motorway was to read some of Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is the honourable member's contributions in the no point of order. Sunshine Coast Daily. There are two classics I want to share with everyone. Mr BEATTIE: For a minute there I was terrified that the honourable member for Aspley Mrs Sheldon: Read them all. was going to be tabled. Mr BEATTIE: I have not got all day. There Mr T. B. Sullivan: For the second time. were two great classics. The first great classic was—and she actually sort of repeated it Mr BEATTIE: He is under the table. We today—that the Sunshine Coast Motorway have had an attempt by the Liberal Party, and to should be paid for by the State Government, not a lesser extent the National Party, to try to by the taxpayers. politicise, as they do with all these issues, the transport issue in the Brisbane City Council Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I election. We have had gross distortions about find that untruth personally objectionable and I State Government funding. ask for it to be withdrawn. It was untrue in the first instance; it is untrue in the second. Mrs Sheldon: By you. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member's honourable member asked for that to be colleague, Bob Ward, is out there trying to beat withdrawn. up any issue he possibly can. The commitment Mr BEATTIE: I withdraw, but I leave the by this Government to public transport in Sunshine Coast Daily record for everyone to Brisbane City is well known and no-one is going read. to believe that there will be a reduction in bus services. Funding is given to the Brisbane City Mrs SHELDON: I ask for an unequivocal Council and then it is a matter for it to determine withdrawal. what in fact happens to those funds in terms of Mr BEATTIE: I withdraw. The other great public transport. classic was that she said that the money from the I also want to deal with a couple of issues Sunshine Coast Motorway was not going to go that were raised by the honourable member for into Government coffers, which is required by Gregory, the Opposition spokesman on law, but it was going to fund the ALP campaign. Transport. He raised the issue of local Mrs SHELDON: That statement is government consultation. I think it is important similarly untrue. I find it offensive. I ask for it to be that we clearly put on the record here this withdrawn. afternoon that there has been extensive Mr BEATTIE: I am happy to withdraw. I will consultation with local government, not only in do anything to keep the honourable member terms of the general parameters of this Bill, but happy. There is something that the honourable also in terms of the actual content of this Bill. member cannot deny. In the House today she Local governments have been actively involved. said that Governments are the ones that have to For example, the Local Government Association have the plans. She says that she does not has been actively involved in the drafting of this need to have policies, only Governments have Bill, so it is not true—in fact it is grossly to have policies. dishonest—to suggest that the Local Government Association or local governments in Mrs Sheldon: When did I say that? this State have not been involved in this Mr BEATTIE: That is what the honourable process, because they have. I think that should member was saying. That is exactly what she was be clearly put on the record. saying. People are not going to vote for her party The comments that were made by the if it does not have policies. honourable member for Western Downs in Mrs Sheldon interjected. relation to how local authorities rely on Transport Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member Department funds to supplement their yearly should table her transport policy. budgets obviously have some credibility. He referred to a couple of councils, in particular A Government member: She would Mitchell and Chinchilla. I think he said that have to table the member for Aspley. Chinchilla relies on receiving 50 per cent of its Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member income from the Department of Transport, for Caloundra cannot table him; he is not a policy. particularly in the two areas of maintenance and Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. construction. He knew that maintenance would Mr Deputy Speaker, you could tell Mr Beattie I will continue, but he was concerned about construction. The reality is that the Transport Legislative Assembly 7099 22 February 1994

Department has, over a long period, been earlier. If we have effective planning and supplementing local authorities and naturally, management, we can influence exactly where where possible, that will continue. the total road network will go. That will include This legislation is important because, as I consultation with local authorities and the said when I spoke in relation to the Transport development of the sort of transport Planning and Coordination Bill last week, there is efficiency—which in the final analysis is the a desperate need for adequate long-term theme of the Bill—that means that the system will planning in this State, for roads in particular. be cost effective and we will end up with more Unless we have that long-term planning, local effective roads. authorities will not be able to budget adequately Bearing in mind what he said, I hope that the for their needs, because they will not know what honourable member for Gregory will take these their income is likely to be. As well, we will not be matters into consideration. If he looks at the Bill able to plan for new communities. very carefully, he will see that many of his The honourable member for Sunnybank concerns have been covered adequately. In spoke about the SEQ 2001 study, which was fact, in a number of ways the Bill is designed to designed to locate communities and build an overcome the sorts of problems that the infrastructure correctly so that we do not have honourable member raised. He should have the sorts of problems with which my constituents taken a bit more time to adequately brief himself and people in other electorates are confronted before he made his contribution. when there is a big argument about where roads The honourable member for Gregory raised will go. If we have long-term planning, which is the issue of a protectionist policy and spoke at what this infrastructure Bill provides, we can length about overseas companies coming here adequately work out where roads will go and and being subject to the user-pays system. I remove the angst that will necessarily be felt by have a lot of sympathy with that point of view. communities about road location. However, it is a matter that can be coordinated This Minister has to administer a total of 55 with a Bill such as this. We can look at where the pieces of transport legislation—55 Acts of this infrastructure will go and plan better than ever Parliament. Through this legislation and the before. Transport Planning and Coordination Bill, we are Recently, this Minister has been very active talking about the integration of the State's in promoting overseas a number of transport transport functions and the reduction of initiatives that are bringing in export dollars. For transport legislation to something like 20 Acts of example, the Minister reported recently on his Parliament. That makes good sense, because consultation with the Vietnamese. The Minister not only will we end up with efficient transport was responsible for a significant contract for that will come from planning, but we will end up railway locomotives to be sold to Vietnam. I am with a better coordinated system not only in sure that the honourable member for Gregory terms of legislation but in terms of where we are would applaud that, bearing in mind what he going with planning. said. The Transport Infrastructure Bill contains a Mr T. B. Sullivan: Where are they being number of core provisions, which are set out built? clearly in the Explanatory Notes. They contain provisions relating to all forms of transport Mr BEATTIE: They are being built in infrastructure and detailed provisions relating to Australia. road infrastructure, including provisions relating Mr Hamill: Those ones were actually built to State-controlled roads, which are roads of in Maryborough. national or State significance. Mr BEATTIE: They were built in The Bill also has an objective of allowing a Maryborough. That shows our commitment to strategic overview by Government—which is the bush and to the provincial cities. what the Transport Infrastructure Bill Recently, the Minister was kind enough to provides—of the provision and operation of all invite a number of members of his parliamentary transport infrastructure and provides specific committee to meet the Thai Minister for objectives for each transport mode. In relation to Transport, who was here looking at what roads, the Bill is intended to establish a regime transport facilities he could buy from under which roads of national and State Queensland. On that occasion, our Minister significance can be effectively planned and used the opportunity to try to advance—and I managed. That has simply not happened in the believe successfully, although only time will long history of this State, and this has been reveal that, and no doubt we will hear about that causing the sort of angst to which I referred from the Minister on a future occasion—the 22 February 1994 7100 Legislative Assembly benefits of buying various items of transport that may apply to a particular district or across the capital equipment and technical know-how. whole State. Clause 45 (4) also will allow the I want to deal in detail with one particular chief executive to incorporate his or her aspect of this Bill, which is part of the major requirements in a contract concerning the review of transport legislation.. Ancillary works installation or maintenance of AWEs, such as and encroachments, which are commonly bus shelters that incorporate advertising. described as AWEs—a term that is used The Bill necessarily empowers the chief frequently in this Transport Infrastructure executive to take corrective action when an AWE Bill—are deserving of some detailed comments. does not meet requirements, in which case the The term was first introduced in the Transport AWE can be removed and sold or destroyed. Infrastructure (Roads) Act 1991, and it has been This will be an important provision for controlling retained in this Bill. I note that it is also being the myriad illegal advertising signs that often used in the Local Government Legislation appear beside State-controlled roads. Hallelujah Amendment Bill. The term is gaining wider for that! Also, the Bill provides the chief acceptance within Government in Queensland. executive with the power to take corrective Essentially, the term "AWEs" refers to the action when an AWE has previously been multiplicity of objects and activities that exist approved but now is creating a traffic hazard or within the boundaries of State-controlled roads will become an obstacle for future roadworks. In that are not part of the road infrastructure and such situations, the chief executive can enter require some measure of control in the interests into an agreement with the owner of the AWE to of traffic safety and efficiency. make a contribution to the cost of such Clause 20 of the Transport Infrastructure Bill corrective action. provides a comprehensive list of those objects Means of access is a special type of AWE. It and activities which comprise ancillary works and is the physical structure that allows access encroachments. It includes things such as between a road and adjacent land. For the monuments, advertising signs, bores, pumps purposes of safety and traffic efficiency, they and even windmills, which indicates the breadth require additional control measures. For of objects that, for one reason or another, are example, the chief executive can determine the placed within the boundaries of State-controlled location for any means of access, the types of roads. The list of activities in clause 20 of the traffic that can use it and during what times. This Transport Infrastructure Bill includes slashing, is especially relevant where access is required burning off, camping and certain types of stock for large vehicles such as trucks. In order to movements. If that list of AWEs needs to be minimise the administrative burden that can expanded in the future, this can be done as an accompany such controls, this Transport amendment to regulations made pursuant to this Infrastructure Bill allows the chief executive to Bill. specify his requirements for the installation and As members would appreciate, Queensland means of access on State-controlled roads and is a very large State, and the extent of control for landowners to be able to assume approvals that is required over activities within the where the means of access is installed and used boundaries of State-controlled roads varies as specified. That is fair enough. considerably across the State. Accordingly, In certain situations, use of means of access clause 45 (2) of this Bill allows each district of the is so important as to necessitate the Department of Transport to determine which development of special policies to apply to a activities will require a permit to be issued for particular length of road. Such State-controlled them to occupy part of the land within the roads are also to be known as access limited boundaries of State-controlled roads. roads, and such controls typically would apply to However, the Minister for Transport is a motorway or to major connecting roads conscious of the need to minimise the amount of between communities which carry large volumes regulation that burdens our business community of traffic or are expected to do so in the future. and the public, so clause 45 (4) of this Bill allows Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. the chief executive to publish his requirements Mr BEATTIE: As I was saying before the and conditions in the Government Gazette for dinner recess, for the purposes of safety and the various types of AWEs. There then would be traffic efficiency additional control measures are no requirement to seek a permit from the required beyond all other forms of AWEs. For Department of Transport for an AWE that is example, the chief executive can determine the installed, operated or conducted in accordance location for any means of access and the types with the requirements. It is expected that, over of traffic that can use it and during what times. time, the department will develop a This is especially relevant where access is comprehensive and safe set of requirements required for large vehicles such as trucks. In Legislative Assembly 7101 22 February 1994 order to minimise the administrative burden ever has been in the past and to lay its plans on which can accompany such controls, this the table for all the world to see. As someone Transport Infrastructure Bill allows the chief who has been concerned about this in terms of executive to specify his requirements for the inner-city road planning, I am delighted that that installation of means of access on State- is a requirement in this Bill. The chief executive is controlled roads and for landowners to be able to required to operate and act in the most efficient assume approvals where the means of access is and effective way. Those requirements have not installed and used as specified. existed before, and I would hope the In certain situations, use of means of access honourable member for Gregory, the Opposition is so important as to necessitate the spokesman on Transport, would have made development of special policies to apply to a some reference to that. particular length of road. Such State-controlled I represent in this place an electorate that roads are also to be known as access-limited has been ravished in the past by bad planning, roads and such controls typically would apply to a particularly by the Liberal city council. This Bill motorway or to major connecting roads between goes a long way to make sure that there is public communities which carry large volumes of traffic consultation—consultation that has never or are expected to do so in the future. This Bill existed in the past. I applaud the Minister for it. enables the Director-General of the Department Consultation and community demands for it are of Transport to declare part or all of any particular stronger than they have ever been in the history Statecontrolled road as an access-limited road. of this State, and so they should be. I hope that At the time of declaration of an access-limited this Bill is greeted with the level of support from road, the director-general will be required to the Opposition that it should be. I applaud the publish the policy that will apply to applications Minister for it, and I look forward to the effective for approval for any means of access on that operation of the Bill. road. This is a very responsible approach being Time expired. taken by the Government to plan for the safe and efficient movement of traffic while ensuring that Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) landowners are aware of policies which will be (7.34 p.m.): In rising to speak to the Transport applied to future means of access applications Infrastructure Bill 1993, may I say that when this and that they can expect to be treated in an legislation and its connecting legislation, the equitable way. This is a further example of this Transport Planning and Coordination Bill, were Government's commitment to good planning, introduced back in November 1993, it appeared openness and equity. at that stage that they were introduced with some degree of haste and it appeared that both The Bill provides that in situations in which pieces of legislation were destined to be changes in traffic patterns have rendered unsafe debated before the end of year break. One an existing, approved means of access, the chief wonders why all of a sudden these Bills seem to executive can alter his access requirements and have gone off the boil somewhat, with no real is empowered to enter into an arrangement with urgency to have them debated. Perhaps the the landowner as to the department's answer lies in the degree of difficulty which the contribution to new access arrangements. In people of Queensland and, indeed, some some extreme cases, no alternative access will officers of the Minister's own department have be possible, in which case the right of access will had in understanding this legislation and its be translated into a right for compensation. As ramifications. before, this is a responsible and equitable approach to such situations. Not being an academic, I am the first to admit that I found it very difficult not only to decipher I believe that this Transport Infrastructure Bill the Minister's second-reading speech on this Bill represents a breakthrough in the management but also to try to answer questions from not only of ancillary works and encroachments within the constituents concerned with transport issues in boundaries of State-controlled roads. It deals my electorate but also people from local comprehensively with this vital issue of road authorities and, indeed, from some employees safety and efficiency and in a way that minimises of the Transport Department. The Minister's the impact of administrative processes on the second-reading speech and the Bill's business community and the general public. In Explanatory Notes contain this same phrase— my view, the Minister for Transport is to be commended for the Transport Infrastructure Bill "This family of legislation contains a and especially for this aspect of it. hierarchy of objectives which become progressively more specific. In particular, In conclusion, I say that in a nutshell the Bill this Bill contains mode-specific legislative provides for the public service in Queensland to objectives and further objectives are to be publicly consult, to be more accountable than it contained within the mode-specific 22 February 1994 7102 Legislative Assembly

strategies which give effect to the higher In the view of the Opposition, the level objectives." Government also has a heavy commitment to Mr Beattie: Hear, hear! improve efficiency of the road transport system and should have a heavy commitment to training Mr HEALY: Let us get real. We have to of all levels of personnel within the industry. explain this sort of thing to the average person in the street—the constituents in the street who The Opposition will raise these questions. want to know what this type of the legislation is all Will the Transport Infrastructure Bill provide the about. It is not until one gets stuck into the answer to the ever-deteriorating standard of legislation and reads all about it that one realises roads in this State? The Minister frequently that the legislation is all about roads—the control makes comments about how we are going to get over them, their maintenance and their future better value for the road dollar; however, I am impact on the growing needs of the community sure that the people of Queensland would find at large. his statements in this area very difficult to believe. This State is becoming notorious for For the sake of the member for Brisbane deteriorating road conditions in various parts of Central, I will say that I understood after I went the State, and very little action is being taken to through it, but the average person, who tries to overcome the major problem of killer bridges understand it, does not. I thought that this which are located throughout Queensland. I Government's agenda was to create an easy to hope this legislation will ensure that funds are comprehend environment in relation to its allocated on the basis of need and not based on legislation—not to create confusion with flowery political considerations. navel-gazing statements. Thankfully there has been a major reduction In that speech, the Minister was in road accidents throughout the country in commending to the House a Transport recent years, and there is no doubt that the Infrastructure Bill which cover roads and current state of the economy amongst other eventually rail and ports and miscellaneous forms factors has played a large part in this result. of infrastructure such as airports and monorails. I Integral to all transport coordination is a heavy would like to raise a number of issues which I commitment to safety. Unfortunately, I feel that hope will be addressed in the legislation. Will this the Government of late appears to be taking road legislation pave the way for an improved railway safety for granted. Many lives are still being lost system in the State? Will Queensland Rail in tragic circumstances on the roads, and the improve its overall operation so that clients will, Government cannot afford to relax for one with confidence, increase their use of the railway moment in mounting all forms of road safety system? Will the suburban passenger rail programs. network be extended to cater for rapidly increasing areas of population or, once again, will While I am speaking about the road toll, let we be subject to the usual delays while me remind the House that Government extensive planning is carried out before a members have travelled throughout decision is reached? Will we have some positive Queensland telling people that last year was a action at last or will the Minister continue to good year for the road toll. However, police preside over a railway system which is records reveal that 40 Queensland road deaths progressively declining, and will the principal were not recorded on last year's State road toll. I planning function to be carried out consist of suggest that this anomaly should be fixed. As ways and means of further reducing railway lines the Minister knows, the department's records in country areas? That is the big worry. My advice and the police records are completely different. If is that railway employees no longer have any a person has been injured in a road accident and confidence in the system, and their career after 30 days that person passes on, that death prospects are in constant doubt. is not recorded as a road death. Even if a person has been in a coma for 31 days after an accident As the Minister is well aware, the major and then dies, that person's death would not be carriage of goods in this State is carried out by included in the road toll. The Department of road transport, and it is essential that his Transport figures, entered into a Police Service department continually works towards a proper computer, indicate that last year 435 people died balance between rail and road in the goods on Queensland's roads. Yet the official toll was haulage area. Natural conditions will in many 395. Transport Department officials have told us instances dictate the preferred form of transport that road deaths that seemed like suicide and to be used; however, it may be necessary for vehicle accidents that happened on private Government to intervene in some cases in the property such as driveways were also not public interest. This should be done with great included in the toll. So perhaps the true road toll care at all times so that as far as possible both rail figure should be realised. and road operate on an open competitive basis. Legislative Assembly 7103 22 February 1994

Mr Bennett: That's nonsense. How can forces because of the new Queensland you work that out? Transport philosophy that funds will be allocated Mr HEALY: It is ridiculous that a person to works that will have the greatest economic can be prosecuted a year after an incident impact and, further, that "larger schemes are less regardless of when another person involved in expensive to construct". In effect, that means the accident died. Why cannot we receive the that local authorities will not have the official toll and not just a toll that is used as the opportunity, as they did in the past, to undertake official total by members of this Government, Queensland Transport projects on a regular who travel throughout the countryside telling basis to maintain a continuity of work. It was made people that it is the official toll? I sincerely hope very clear that local authorities that have received that in framing any policies to do with transport an adequate works program should not be the Government gives paramount consideration penalised by a reduction in funding if to ensuring that loss of life and accidents are amendments to the existing schedule are kept to an absolute minimum. necessary. Most local authorities would be aware that Queensland Transport's current road There is no disputing the significant growth strategy revolves around roads that give access of the harbours and ports system in to major industries. However, it must be made Queensland. I remind the Minister that the clear to the Government that it should not forget structure for the overall organisation of those existing road infrastructures that give rural harbours and ports was put in place long before people access to their town and regional the Labor Party in this State became the centres. Government. I will now give an example of how Mr Hamill: That's not correct. Queensland Transport has effectively placed a Mr HEALY: It is so. As the Minister is huge question mark over the City of aware, the continued efficient operation of our Toowoomba. I refer specifically to the proposed harbours requires a high level of coordination bypass of the city. Let me place on record my between shipping and other forms of transport. It support for a city bypass on the outskirts of is essential that Queensland Rail understands its Toowoomba. It will alleviate the dense traffic obligations in this area so that we can promote problems that have been caused in the inner-city Queensland's exports to the fullest. area by both heavy transport and passenger The Government is very quick to praise its vehicles negotiating the city's main arterial roads efforts in managing the finances of this State. when travelling to or from Brisbane, Sydney and However, the lack of finance is severely retarding Melbourne, and also to the north. Some time the progress of Queensland's transport ago, Queensland Transport announced two infrastructure in a number of areas. The test of options to be considered: a southern bypass good government will be judged to a option and a northern bypass option. considerable extent by its capacity not only to Although I can understand fully that the manage finances but also to provide essential appropriate studies need to be carried out to service in the depressed economy that Mr provide details of the cheapest and most Keating and his colleagues have managed to effective and economical way to construct a new give this country. Many facets of transport are highway that will climb the Great Dividing Range underfunded, such as urban public to the Darling Downs and link with both the transport—passenger transport. It is vital that the existing Warrego and Gore Highways on the Government develop programs urgently, western and southern sides of the city, the fact is possibly in conjunction with local authorities and that those two options have effectively put developers, to provide services that are the doubt in the minds of residents on both sides of basis of good living standards. the city as to the future of their properties. Late I will outline some of the concerns of local last year, Queensland Transport released a map authorities that have been aired already in this with a buffer zone that completely surrounds the House by Opposition members tonight, in City of Toowoomba. For the information of particular the 18 local authorities in the Darling members, I will table that map. On that map, Downs Local Government Association region. members will see that the city is completely Those concerns were outlined at a special surrounded by this buffer zone. That zone has meeting attended by Transport Department been recommended as a guide for local officials held in Toowoomba late last year to authorities when they reconsider, or consider, discuss the Government's projected road works rezoning applications for future developments program. Among other concerns that were by residents. In other words, although councils raised was the fact that a high percentage of the cannot refuse a development consideration in 18 local authorities face a reduction in their work this zone, Queensland Transport has applied pressure on the councils not to approve a 22 February 1994 7104 Legislative Assembly development pending a decision on the a great boon to the industry and it will reduce the highway. congestion that occurs in the inner-city area. I am told by Queensland Transport officials The Opposition will not be opposing this that a decision on which option will be given the legislation in total but, in conclusion, I make a green light will not occur until perhaps Christmas plea to the Minister that, given his speech and this year, or even not until early 1995. I am calling the Explanatory Notes that go with the Bill, it may on the Government to fast-track this proposal be necessary for him and some of his officers to and release the city and its residents from the be deprogrammed so that, by the use of simple grip of uncertainty so that they can start planning language, we can all understand what they are their lives again and so that the Toowoomba City trying to tell us. Council can consider without hindrance future Mr SZCZERBANIK (Albert) (7.49 p.m.): developments for the city. I call upon the We are debating a piece of legislation that will Government to at least consider some of my affect my electorate greatly. My electorate is constituents who have approached me, such as located in the corridor between Brisbane and the Mr Terry Ford and his family, who are planning to Gold Coast. It is one of the most rapidly growing build a home, in which they will invest their life areas not only in Queensland but also in savings, in a little area known as Ballard, which is Australia. Earlier today, I was listening to the located at the bottom of the Toowoomba range. born-again Transport Minister, the shadow Mr Ford has been told that his area is being Minister, talking about the eastern corridor. Let considered as one of the two options for this me place on record what is happening in the highway and that, if approved, the highway will ranks of the Opposition.The member for Gregory be located fairly close to the home which he is and shadow Transport Minister, and the member planning to build and into which he will pour their for Southport espoused the virtues of the life savings. At this stage, the Transport eastern corridor, yet only last week, we heard Department has said that the options are only that the member for Nerang—and I will read from lines on a map. That is all very fine, but this man his notice of motion— has invested his life savings in a beautiful piece of acreage. Yet all he is told is that it is lines on a ". . . condemns and censures the map. I cite also the example of a veteran responsible Minister, David Hamill, and the Toowoomba horse trainer, Mr Bill Castles, who Goss Labor Government for its continued has developed his training complex on the campaign to disrupt traffic on this road"— western outskirts of the city. that is, the South East Freeway— Mr Johnson: Another good Quilpie man. "for the purpose of creating public opinion Mr HEALY: He is. I thank the member for in favour of the Eastern Corridor." Gregory for that interjection, because he realises We have members of the Opposition with the importance of these people to the opposing views. The members of the National community. This man is an elderly racehorse Party are saying that they want the eastern trainer, and he is a very successful one. His wife corridor, but the member for Nerang does not has been very ill of late. He has approximately 15 even know whether he wants it or not. The nine acres in a part of the city that could be affected members of the Liberal Party—and their nine by a bypass. He has a couple of training tracks. votes—are opposing it. So they do not know Again, lines on a map from the Department of what they want. I will call the Opposition the Transport tell him that one of the options could, "circular" party—around and around it goes, with in fact, dissect his property. That is the last thing nowhere to go. that he and his family need. Yet, he cannot get I will refer again to National Party policy—and any answers. He would love to know what is this gets up my nose. I will read from a newsletter going on. I again ask the Government to have a that was distributed in my electorate by the look at the particular proposal. The Government Opposition Leader, Mr Borbidge, and the should fast-track it and let the people of National Party candidate for Albert. The Toowoomba City and the surrounding areas newsletter stated— know exactly what is going on with that bypass. I have heard reports that if the successful option "The National Party's alternative to this is the southern bypass, it could in fact be a great crazy road is to increase the Pacific Highway cost saver for people involved in the transport from four lanes to an eight corridor highway. industry. I have been told that if it is built on the A cheap, effective alternative. All feeder southern side, transports could travel up the roads into the highway to be upgraded to Toowoomba range at speeds of perhaps 80 adequately service the relevant areas." kilometres an hour. If that is the case, that will be Again, the Opposition does not know what it is doing. The Leader of the Opposition is saying Legislative Assembly 7105 22 February 1994 one thing; the shadow Transport Minister is move into an area people should know what will saying another; and the shadow Minister for be there in the future. They can then take DBIRD is saying something else. The newsletter responsibility for moving into that area. When I continued— was running for council in 1988, I looked through "How many highways do we need? the old Albert Shire strategic plans. Back in Surely the upgraded Pacific Highway 1972, one plan identified that an alternative together with the previous National Party route between Brisbane and the Gold Coast was implemented Railway will service us for the needed. The plan proposed that the route foreseeable future and generations to would be to the east of the highway, or further come." east than the proposed eastern corridor. But, after pressure from friends in the National Party, They cannot get their act together. What short there was no line on the 1977 maps—that idea memories members of the Opposition have. The had disappeared. newsletter, distributed by the National Party candidate in my electorate, continued— For the interest of honourable members—and in the interests of proper "Before I became the selected National planning of infrastructure—I point out a few Party Candidate for the State seat of Albert, aspects that need to be examined in relation to I influenced the National Party policy against the eastern corridor. The area's population has the Eastern Corridor." grown to 1.3 million people over the past 14 The National Party candidate in my electorate years. That is an increase of 447 000 people. has a short memory. Today, we heard the The population is expected to grow to two million shadow Minister for Transport espousing the in less than 30 years. We need to do the virtues of the eastern corridor. What do those planning now. As I said, between 1976 and opposite want? 1990, the Albert Shire accounted for 14 per cent Mr Johnson: You get the text of the MPI of Queensland's total population growth. and read it. You don't understand it. The level of interstate migration from Mr SZCZERBANIK: The member for Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia is Gregory was mentioned at the bottom of the increasing due to job losses in those southern newsletter. If he wants a copy, I will give him one. States. The climate up here is also much better It mentioned that the member for Gregory, Mr than it is down south. Queensland has also Johnson, spent some time in my electorate shown a consistently good economic before the last election campaign. I would performance over the last 10 to 15 years, with welcome him back to my electorate any time. I growth in the service industries, such as tourism would even buy him a beer. and leisure. The Bureau of Immigration Research predicts that the population growth along the I would also like to take up another issue south-east Queensland coast could result, with the shadow Minister for Transport. He is within the next 20 to 30 years, in a metropolis pushing for the eastern corridor to be built. From with a population of between 2.8 million and where does he expect the $350m to come? three million people stretching from the Does he want me to take it from the bush? Sunshine Coast in the north to the New South Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. I Wales border. That is the problem with which we am asking the Government to show its hand. I are faced. think the member for Albert should read the MPI. People have talked about the recession Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms that we had to have. Because of the rapid growth Power): Order! The member for Gregory will that occurred in 1988-89, it has been a godsend resume his seat. There is no point of order. for my electorate. It provided the slowdown that Mr SZCZERBANIK: Let us say that the gave us the breathing space to plan for the shadow Minister for Transport would like us to future. I will relate some statistics to the House. A take the $350m from the bush electorates that lot of people forget that the present Gold Coast those opposite are supposed to represent, and highway is the only link between Brisbane and spend it in my electorate. I will be glad to take that the Gold Coast. On present figures, about money from the bush and spend it. The people 65 000 cars travel along that route every day. from my electorate would welcome that amount There are 22 million person trips per year made of money. on that road. It carries about 10 million tonnes of freight per year. If growth continues, traffic This Bill refers to long-term planning for road volumes will double in the next 10 years. infrastructure. Bad planning will not get this State anywhere. We need to put those road corridors This Government initiated the eastern in place early so that people can see what will be corridor study plan, something that should have in place. Lines on maps are fine, but before they been done 10 years ago. It made it clear that 22 February 1994 7106 Legislative Assembly other measures needed to be adopted. They The BMW motor vehicle test track, which is included the widening of the Gold Coast located in my electorate, would never have gone highway to six lanes—something that we will do ahead were it not for the planning policies of this in the future—and the building of the Gold Coast Government. Members opposite purport to rail link. It also showed that construction was represent the interests of the rural sector. It took needed on the eastern corridor. We are doing all a Labor Party Government to enable that project of those things. Before the last State election to proceed. campaign, someone wrote to me and said that Mr Johnson: Don't you represent the the Gold Coast rail link was a National Party rural sector? initiative. I wrote back and said, "Yes, it was a National Party initiative, but this Government is Mr Bennett: We're looking after it putting the money in. This Government was not because you didn't. the one that ripped up the rail link in the first Mr SZCZERBANIK: I take that place, and this Government was not the one that interjection. This Government is looking after the sold off the corridor." That made it twice as canefarmers. My electorate has a viable cane difficult for this Government. People forget that it industry, even though it is not large. I have a was the former National Party Government that good relationship with the owner of the sugar mill ripped up that rail link. Why? in the Albert electorate, Bill Heck. We do not see Mr Dollin: To help their mates. eye to eye on some issues, but Bill knows where I stand and I know where he stands. We are Mr SZCZERBANIK: It was to help its working together to ensure the continued mates in Woods Transport, or that was one of the viability of that valuable industry. reasons that I was given in the past. Mr Pearce: It is not a sweet relationship. An honourable member interjected. Mr SZCZERBANIK: No, it is not a sweet Mr SZCZERBANIK: It was Woods relationship. Transport, as far as I know. This Government is undertaking proper planning. I wish to talk about In the past, the National Party Government some other issues about which I hear from made many promises to the people of my people in my electorate—firstly, in relation to the electorate. One such example is the suburb sugarcane industry. The planning for the eastern named Canowindra. Fifteen years ago, the corridor took all of those factors into account. residents of that suburb were promised an When we did the planning for the eastern overpass into their estate. Finally, this corridor, we listened to the sugarcane farmers, Government delivered on that promise. and we minimised the loss that the sugarcane Mr Hamill: Only one overpass? They industry would sustain. We have listened to all normally gave them out in blocks of three. sides. I know that some sugarcane farmers are Mr SZCZERBANIK: That occurred in still not happy, but life is a compromise. I believe National Party seats. This Government has spent that this was the best outcome. between $8m and $9m providing that The loss of 95 hectares of cane will be far infrastructure. outweighed by the increase in new cane land Earlier today, while driving to Parliament being made available. Every year in my House, I noticed that work has commenced on electorate, between 100 hectares and 150 the Yawalpah Road interchange. At present, the hectares of cane land is released onto the bush is being cleared so that the concrete market. That increase far outweighs the loss that abutments for the bridgeworks can be will be sustained in the eastern corridor. Over the constructed. That project represents another next five to 10 years, the productive area of cane $15m being spent by this Government. The land will continue to increase from the present National Party only ever talked about spending level of 6 000 hectares to over 7 000 hectares. such money; it never actually did it. This Government is looking after the interests of the canefarmers in my electorate. Mr Pearce: All they have done since is whinge. I support the sugar industry in my electorate. I assured the members of that Mr SZCZERBANIK: That is true. industry that this Government would look after Opposition members seem capable only of them. For years, the cane industry in my knocking, whingeing and whining. electorate was never offered any protection. I My electorate is doing well out of the Labor commend Tom Burns for introducing the Government. In the 15 years prior to my being agricultural planning policies, which are now elected, the National Party held the seat that I being implemented by the Albert Shire Council. currently hold. During the period of the National Party Government, my electorate received Legislative Assembly 7107 22 February 1994 nothing. The Labor Government has delivered He stated that the association was actively the infrastructure that was required. I support the involved in the drafting of the Bill. I wondered Bill. It is good for my electorate and for people on about the meaning of that statement. the Gold Coast. In his second-reading speech, the Minister Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (8.03 p.m.): I must stated that the review being undertaken of the take issue with one of the last remarks made by Transport portfolio will result in the rationalisation the member for Albert. He alleged that, when the of 55 Acts down to around 20 pieces of National Party held the seat that he currently legislation. That rationalisation will not mean a holds, no infrastructure was provided. That is thing if it does not result in a more effective contrary to the position adopted by his delivery of services. The Minister stated further colleagues. The member is running off the rails that the Transport Infrastructure Bill will cover there. Government members always claim that roads and, eventually, rail and ports and the everything was provided in National Party seats. miscellaneous forms of infrastructure such as Mr Livingstone: Nothing done in airports and monorails. Hopefully, in the near Ipswich. future, the Bill will apply to rail infrastructure. Mr STEPHAN: When the member was In his second-reading speech, the Minister first elected to this place, he did not make that made a further comment that the objectives of claim. He, too, seems to be running off the rails. the Bill are to coordinate transport in a way that provides economic and social benefits. I point It gives me a great deal of pleasure to join out to the Minister that, at present, that objective this debate. It does not matter which party is in is not being met in relation to rail services. I want Government—in a State such as Queensland, to draw to the attention of the Minister some of there will never be sufficient money to meet the the problems being encountered by those transport requirements of the people, who must attempting to utilise existing rail services. travel over such vast distances. As members travel around the State, they witness the Some problems have been encountered improvements in transport services and with the Cool Car refrigeration service, which was infrastructure that have occurred over the past operating two and sometimes three times a week 40 or 50 years. Members may reflect on how from Maryborough. I note that the member for things have changed—sometimes for the better, Maryborough is present in the Chamber. The and sometimes not necessarily for the better. Brisbane supplier of a butcher in Maryborough attempted to deliver smallgoods to Queensland The member for Brisbane Central is not Rail but was told that the service had been cut to present in the Chamber. He stated that the once a week. The service is therefore no longer Government was negotiating with the Local able to be used to transport fresh goods. The Government Association. In the amendments same problem was encountered by the local that will be moved by the shadow Minister at the florist, who once utilised the Cool Car service but Committee stage, reference is made to roadside can no longer do so because it has been cut. I facilities. I believe that the amendment proposed question why that service has been cut. by the Opposition is a good measure. It states that a roadside facility may be constructed only if As well, the service offered by Queensland the local government has approved the location Rail to some pineapple growers has been cut. and nature of the facility. I wonder why that The rail wagons were shifted from the Mary provision is not contained in the legislation. If, as Valley to Bundaberg because the farmers in the the Government claims, it has been negotiating Bundaberg area have experienced an earlier and with the Local Government Association, I would larger than expected peak harvest. I point out have thought that the association would have that there is a peak crop in the Mary Valley area, demanded that local authorities be consulted as well, but a decision was taken to shift the and have input on such matters. wagons from that area. Faced with that scenario, it is no wonder that the farmers in the Mary Valley I was amused by the comment by the area are concerned. member for Brisbane Central that the Local Government Association has been actively The Kandanga Fruit Growers spokesman involved in the drafting of this Bill. If the member said that the Mary Valley growers would rely on were present in the Chamber, I would ask him road transport to supply the Golden Circle what he means by that. Is the Local Government Cannery in Brisbane with pineapples. The Association part of the Office of the spokesman said that this could lead to a Parliamentary Counsel? reduction in rail usage by Mary Valley farmers and to the eventual closure of the line. Naturally, that Mr Bredhauer interjected. is a very worrying scenario. If a rail service is cut, Mr STEPHAN: No, I am repeating the naturally the amount of produce that is comments by the member for Brisbane Central. transported via that service will also decrease. 22 February 1994 7108 Legislative Assembly

The Minister should remember that his example is the Brooloo Gap Road. Some locals Premier said that if the local people did not use have become involved by writing letters and these lines, they would lose them. In this lobbying the Minister and the department, and instance, how can producers be expected to whoever else they can, to get something done use these lines if they are not available to be about the upgrading of that road. Although they used when their produce is available and ready have been on a high priority list, somehow or to be transported? I urge the Minister to take other they just do not seem to get to No. 1. I will notice of these concerns that arise from time to refer to a couple of comments contained a letter time. The concern held by these local people is written by local residents. It states— that if the rail is not going to be there when "We would take to take this opportunity required, then, of course, the lines will be done on behalf of the residents of Brooloo and away with and the producers will have to revert to surrounding area, to thank you and your road transport. I do believe that some of those department, along with Cooloola Shire country roads do not have the facility to carry Council, for the commitment to seal 1.3km excessive loads. For example, pineapples are of the unsealed 10.5km section of the sometimes transported in lots of 10 000 tonnes. Gympie-Brooloo Road, with work to be Timber is another product that is transported in completed by the end of this financial year. heavy loads. If these lines are to be closed, the Government needs to keep the roads in a good It is also appreciated that an attempt state of repair. has been made to alleviate the dust problem by placing Blue Metal Gravel on the Whether the Government decides to use road. However, this was not successful as the existing railway lines or to use the road, it is the dust did not decrease and in fact the going to need extra money. If the rail lines stay danger of the road increased. Within the open to cater for that heavy traffic, it will certainly first week of this work being completed, four make transport on the roads much safer for the vehicles lost control in the loose gravel." locals who travel along the road in their everyday driving. I would like to make a comment on the Under those conditions, of course, the only upgrading of the railway line between Brisbane procedure left open is the sealing of that section and Cairns. Certainly, this is a move in the right of the road with bitumen. The road is used direction, and I do commend the Railway frequently by tourists, so it carries quite a Department for its work in relation to it. I also considerable amount of traffic. The letter further commend the Railway Department for the way states— that it has been able, over a long "We have been informed that a survey period—certainly since I first came into this of the remaining 10.5km of the road has House—to negotiate a satisfactory agreement been scheduled for March/April 1994." when it comes to resumptions. What is concerning the local residents is that a If the realignment of the railway line survey will be undertaken of that particular between Brisbane and Cairns is to continue, a section of the road, and that will not be local club in my electorate, the Gympie Saloon completed until March or April 1994. It would Car Club, will find one or two of the suggested appear that it is certainly no closer to finalisation. lines running through the middle of its racetrack. Time does get away from us. However, the However, at present, the Gympie Saloon Car inconvenience and the difficulties associated Club is quite satisfied with the way discussions with that road will continue until something is are progressing and it is quite satisfied with the done. Between 7 April and 21 April, the attitude taken by the Railway Department. During Department of Transport put a counter on that negotiations, the Railway Department has said spot. During those 15 days, approximately 5 408 that it will make sure that that car club will be able vehicles travelled along that road. That figure to operate successfully. transfers into a figure of approximately 131 000 I would like to move on to some of the other cars per annum. Of that figure, 15.7 per cent areas connected with road transport. In his were heavy vehicles, which equalled second-reading speech, the Minister stated— approximately 20 600-odd heavy vehicles per annum. "In the past 18 months, the Government has undertaken the most Heavy traffic is also caused by the increased fundamental reform of the management of demand for timber, as is the increased demand roads in Australia through an initiative for sand and gravel and agricultural products. It is known as Road Reform. Clearly, we are now an ongoing problem, and I ask the Minister to recognised as national leaders." take note of it. However, along with that area at Brooloo, there is the developing tourist area He then referred to prioritisation of some roads, around Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach. A far which has been a practice for a long time. An Legislative Assembly 7109 22 February 1994 better and more negotiable access between particularly what it is expecting and seeking from those two places is needed, that is, a bridge. I those individuals. know that a bridge will cost $10m or $15m; it may In his second-reading speech, the Minister even cost more than that. stated— The member for Albert spoke about the marvellous reception he had received with ". . . a local government may contribute to funding for roadways in the Albert electorate. Let the upgrading of a State-controlled road for us have the same sort of funding in other parts of the use of local traffic as an economic the State, particularly in the areas north of alternative to providing or upgrading local Brisbane which are carrying a considerable roads." amount of traffic. The requirement for a bridge It sounds as though the Minister is asking for over the inlet between Tin Can Bay and Rainbow more funding and contributions from local Beach is certainly one that needs to be borne in authorities for the upgrading of roads, if that mind regularly. could be negotiated between the two The Minister also referred to driver departments. The Minister stated further— education. He told us that the Mount Cotton "A significant aspect of this Transport Driver Education Centre was transferred across Infrastructure Bill is that it seeks to maintain to his department. I do commend that action. I the integrity of the State-controlled road also commend the work being done in a similar system by requiring local governments to centre in Gympie. That centre is doing a fantastic gain the written approval of the job in training young and old drivers in handling director-general before approving vehicles on the road. These centres produce development proposals . . ." drivers who are better equipped on the road, and that in turn makes the roads more safe. The Minister further stated— The driver education centre in Gympie was "The conditions of approval may started off on a voluntary basis by the combined include a requirement for compensation, whether monetary or otherwise, for the Rotary clubs—initially, the Gympie Rotary Club, impact of the development." which then combined with the Gympie/Cooloola Rotary Club. It has now been taken over by That is another charge. I seek some clarification group community organisations. As I said, I from the Minister on that aspect. He also commend this type of activity. I believe that there stated— is room for the establishment of one or two other ". . . the director-general will determine similar centres in the other parts of Queensland. permission criteria which will allow local If one looks at the professional drivers and the governments to automatically apply the amount of time that they spend on the road, one conditions which attach to the criteria, would find that it would do those drivers well to without referral to the director-general." realise just how important it is to be able to Although the matter does not have to be handle vehicles in a way that will benefit other referred to the director-general, the director- road users rather than cause them concern. general will be applying those conditions and Earlier, I mentioned briefly my concerns telling people what they can and cannot do. about whether or not local authorities had been The Minister stated further— consulted on what the Minister intends to do ". . . the director-general must determine with roadside facilities and what criteria will be which organisation will exercise which used to determine changes that will be made. powers, and, in this way, he will be able to The Explanatory Notes state that the chief readily authorise the most cost-effective executive may charge a fee. The undertaking solutions to the management of the various may incorporate the approval of a means of functions on State-controlled roads." access between the facility and the State- controlled road. In particular instances, for Who pays the bill under those conditions? Who example, with perpetual leases or other leases, a will oversee that sort of authority in the reasonable fee is charged initially, but some of department? those fees are easily and quickly increased. I As to the lead time in the development of refer to the perpetual lease over a caravan park roadworks—the Minister is making efforts to which, in the past six months, increased from transfer a lot of planning responsibility within the $8,000 a year to $27,000 a year. That is the type department to local authorities. of thing that worries many people in the Time expired. community. They worry about roadside facilities and anything else relating to the Government, Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) (8.24 p.m.): In rising to speak to this Transport 22 February 1994 7110 Legislative Assembly

Infrastructure Bill, I take this opportunity to draw State-controlled road for the use of local the Minister's attention to a desperate situation traffic as an economic alternative to that exists in relation to pressure upon providing or upgrading local roads." Maroochydore Road. Whether it was a I ask the Minister: does it flow back the other misunderstanding in the Minister's office or on way? If it is more efficient to take traffic from some the part of the reporter, I am not sure, but of the main roads, such as Maroochydore Road, unfortunately when the issue of the amount of and create a new locally controlled road linking, traffic going past the Maroochydore High School say, Maroochydore Road and Sugar Road and on Maroochydore Road was raised in the local into the heart of that area, would this newspaper, the answer that was published in the Government likewise see fit to give a special newspaper was that work would be completed grant to assist that program to take traffic off that on that road by the middle of this year. The work State-controlled road and perhaps assist it back to be done on the Maroochydore Road is in front onto a future local government-controlled road of K mart, not the high school. The work in front such as a southern access road? I believe that is of K mart does need to be done, but there is a desperately needed. Whether it is the State desperate need to take pressure off that Government or a local government that controls particular road, which is feeding traffic into the it, we must have that. In the mean time, Maroochydore CBD. The Maroochydore State Maroochydore Road is suffering under the High School is not the only school that is pressure of all those kids who are trying to suffering from the pressure on that road; there is compete with the traffic. also Stella Maris Catholic school, which has an access from Blanck Street off Maroochydore As to "de-maining" of State roads—I know Road. I understand from my discussions with that the Government's policy is that it does not Transport Department officials that there are no want to extend any of the State-controlled main works programmed to upgrade that section of roads more than it has already. I am very fearful road before 1998. That is of grave concern. that pressure will be brought to bear upon the council in relation to roads such as Dunethin I urge the Minister's support for a southern Rock Road, which is presently a main access into the Maroochydore CBD. A southern road—even though one would not know that access is desperately needed. I know that because of the condition of that particular road engineers do not like to break the motorway flow with its potholes and the terrible state of efficiency of the Maroochydore bypass, but I alignment. The Maroochydore Shire Council has believe that there are better ways to maintain the already put money into upgrading sections of efficiency of that particular section of road and that road, but I am worried that a lot of pressure improve the access into Maroochydore, which is might be put on council to take over that road. an increasingly congested area. I believe that, during peak times, it is worse driving through that The Minister has said that nothing will be area than it is driving through Brisbane. Yet forced. However, I note that some rather schoolkids have to contend with that traffic when interesting measures have been adopted to try walking to school or riding on their bicycles. to force the council's hands, particularly in regard Parents are dropping kids off there, and buses to the tollway issue. In a newspaper article a travel through that area. couple of years ago, it was stated that the Minister had held back about $287,000 on works Whether it is an overpass over that section in that area because he was trying to force the of the motorway leading into the heart of hand of the council to support his tollway Maroochydore and feeding back through the proposals. Basically, that was blackmail. If the Lend Lease development, whether it is a service council did not support him, the Minister was road that cuts across from Maroochydore Road going to hold back some of that money. Is this to Sugar Road and links those areas with another going to be the sort of action that we will see, link road into the heart of that area or whether it is that is, the applying of pressure to local some other solution, consideration needs to be governments to get them to take over State- given to overcoming that traffic congestion. controlled roads? Will the Government say, In his second-reading speech, the Minister "Well, if you do not take this money now, you will stated— not get much of an allocation at all next year"? I "This Bill also provides that a local am worried that that sort of pressure will be government may make financial brought to bear on the Maroochy Shire Council arrangements with the director-general for and other councils throughout Queensland. improvements to a State-controlled road During some years, little sweeteners might where that is sensible for the local road be offered by the Government to make people network. In this way, a local government may think that the funding will improve. One has only contribute to the upgrading of a to look at the maintenance figures given to the Legislative Assembly 7111 22 February 1994

Maroochy Shire Council for expenditure by the They tell me that people do not want to get off Department of Transport. Basically, they show a the toll road after they have gone over the bridge total downward trend from 1988-89 to 1993-94, and paid the $1.50 toll. Why should they leave with the exception of—surprise, the toll road to stay at the local motel into which surprise—election year, when suddenly the they have booked themselves when if they get figure increases and then falls back again. This is off it they cannot get back on? I have had why councils fear for the future of their funding. complaints from a local motelier who told me that Perhaps they will get a sweetener, as they have in 12 years at the same motel the rate of people in the past during some election years, to take failing to turn up after making bookings was very, on the responsibility for a road. But how long will very low. The week after the toll on the bridge that funding last? Once the councils are left was reimposed, they had four bookings that holding the baby, what is their guarantee of failed to turn up. That was very unusual. They keeping funding for that road? usually had only one booking per fortnight that In 1988-89, the amount that the Maroochy failed to turn up. They could see immediately the Shire Council was given by the Department of impact on themselves when the toll on the Transport to maintain State roads was bridge was reimposed. The road is no good for $1,341,848. In 1989-90, we saw a reduction to that section of the tourist industry. Some tourists $1,187,535. In the next year, 1990-91, it fell to are using the road, but the locals know that they $855,414, which is a massive drop. The 1991- are suffering. They are still using the David Low 92 figure was $1,046,899. In 1992-92, the Way. election year, the figure blipped to $1,515,377. The pressure on the Bli Bli bridge is terrible. In 1993-94, after the election, it fell to It is a goat track. My invitation still stands for the $1,075,000. Is it any wonder that councils are Minister to come for a drive with me across the Bli very worried about continuity of funding? In Bli bridge. He can bring his wife, his dog, his kids cases where councils are doing work for the and his grandmother. It is an extremely Department of Transport, if there is a shortfall in dangerous road. The problem is that a cane train the funding necessary to keep those potholes track runs up the middle of the road. filled, people blame the councils. The councils cop the flak. People assume that the road must Mr Hamill: Is that a proposition I need to be a council road. After all, they have seen refuse? council workers out there trying in vain to fix up Miss SIMPSON: The invitation is still the potholes. The councils do not have enough open, and I challenge the Minister. money to cope. Is it any wonder that the councils are fearful that they will be left holding the baby? Mr Hamill: It didn't take my breath away. I know that in the case of the Dunethin Rock Miss SIMPSON: I think that if the Minister Road, for example, there is a desperate need for travels along that road it might take his life away. It more funds to keep that road maintained. It is a is an extremely dangerous road. I see traffic now gravel road, with intermittent sections of backed up along Petrie Creek Road and at other bitumen. I get a lot of complaints from people intersections because it cannot get onto the about it. Usually they blame the Maroochy Shire David Low Way. It is a rotten road. It needs Council for not keeping it in good repair. Yet if upgrading. We have this new tollway, but it is not they talk to the council they would understand helping the locals. Funds should be allocated to that it does not have sufficient funds in its upgrade these roads. If the Government allocation from the Government to maintain that continues to put funds into the motorway and road. Councils often chip in to try to upgrade not into important roads such as this, the locals those roads. It is no wonder that there is a lot of will know that they have been conned. The fear that pressure will be imposed to take these pressure will not stop. The people will remember roads off State listing and to blackmail—as we that promises have been made and broken. saw with the toll road example—the councils to They will not forget. get their support. It has been done before, and Something must be done about the David under this Government we will see it again. Low Way. It is a goat track. It is dangerous and if On the issue of this tollway, perhaps not something is not done, somebody's life will be enough attention has been drawn to the impact lost. That life will be on the head of this upon intersections such as that at Petrie Creek Government, because it made a promise that the Road and David Low Way. This toll road is so toll would be removed. Now the locals are being wonderful that none of the locals want to use it forced to use an inferior alternative. That issue because it is too expensive. A few tourists are will not go away. using it. I know that tourists are using it because I Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (8.35 p.m.): I have spoken to moteliers on the north shore. listened with interest when the Transport 22 February 1994 7112 Legislative Assembly

Minister delivered his second-reading speech dangerous traffic lights? What about last Friday on this Bill. I would like to remind the House and when, just before 12 noon, another major the Minister of a couple of things that he said. In accident involving five cars occurred at the traffic relation to this legislation, he said that it would lights on the corner of the Nerang-Broadbeach be— Road. Fortunately, considering the severity of ". . . covering the core obligations . . . for all the accident, only one person was injured. The forms of transport infrastructure . . ." following day, last Saturday, at the Pappas Way intersection there was another four car pile-up. He further stated that it would— That is the same intersection that claimed three ". . . ensure a continuing commitment to lives only a few months ago. effective prioritisation of work." Returning to the accident that happened at He was saying that the Bill will ensure that the the intersection of the Nerang-Broadbeach core obligations will be effectively prioritised. Road and the highway, not only does it have Quite clearly something has been missed over traffic lights but it also has red-light cameras. As the past few years, because neither of these two one eye-witnesses explained, a Commodore objectives have been fulfilled. I hasten to add was heading north along the highway. Upon that I do not believe that this piece of legislation seeing the amber light, and terrified of being will make one bit of difference to this charged for going through a red light, it slammed Government's fulfilling those objectives in the on its brakes. The pantech that was following it future. slammed on its brakes, skewed sideways and The No. 1 obligation, as I see it, must always slammed into the Commodore. The cars on be peoples' lives—the safety of the individual. either side were also involved. The truck behind The Government is certainly not prioritising its the pantech also slammed on its brakes, but it, finances and infrastructure according to that too, hit the truck and the cars in front. So we had priority. The Government is putting political a major pile-up. I remind the Minister that red-light priorities before its social responsibilities. Of one cameras are no substitute for an overpass. thing I am quite sure, and that is that the Gold Thousands of heavy trucks use that highway Coast, and specifically the Nerang electorate, is every day. It is very difficult for a person travelling definitely not up near the top of the Minister's in a car at 100 kilometres an hour to see around priority list. In fact, I suggest that it is closer to the these heavy trucks. bottom of his political priority list. I refer again to that other fatal accident that Let us consider the Nerang electorate from occurred at the Pappas Way intersection. By the a road safety point of view. We have the South way, the Nerang-Broadbeach Road intersection East Freeway becoming the Pacific Highway is only just a few hundred metres up the road travelling south from the centre of Brisbane right from that intersection. As I said before, people through to the southern end of the Gold Coast. are dying in that area. Something has to be With the exception of one small area around done, and it has to be done now. The Nerang, there are no traffic lights at all. That is intersection where the three people died was quite right, because this highway has the never supposed to be located in that spot in the greatest density of high-speed traffic of any first place. It was a temporary entrance until the highway in Queensland. Every day, it delivers overpass was completed. However, because of international tourists to Australia's premier tourist changes in funding priorities, that overpass has resort. It also enables Gold Coast residents to not eventuated. The council is 100 per cent commute to Brisbane and vice versa. behind getting that overpass constructed. It is quite happy to put in place a service road and Enormous numbers of vehicles travel at whatever else is required. There is a location high speeds on this road, yet through the middle slightly south of that intersection that is available of Nerang are only three sets of traffic lights. for the construction of that overpass and, as I Only last year, one set claimed three lives. How understand it, negotiations are under way. many more lives will it claim? That set of traffic However, it needs to be done now. The problem lights on the corner of Pappas Way was set up is not confined to just that intersection. Two incorrectly. It was set up in a way that obviously other sets of traffic lights need replacing, and contributed to those deaths because, they need replacing now. immediately after the fatalities, and following protests from the local community and myself, I will turn now to another problem, and that is the signalling was changed. Why did three the pedestrian crossing on Price Street, which is people have to die before a simple change of the main street in Nerang. It is probably a very the sequencing of the lights could occur? Why is minor problem for the Minister, but it is a problem the Department of Transport under this Minister that we have been trying to have resolved for purely reacting and not dealing with obviously years. It is a problem that everyone has had Legislative Assembly 7113 22 February 1994 resolved elsewhere in Queensland. The ago. We have received letters from the district pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Price manager of the Queensland Transport and Lavelle Streets at Nerang is deadly Department, who said that there is not a problem dangerous. I can guarantee that someone will be with that intersection. He said that the installation killed at that intersection in the near future. That of traffic lights at White Street will make platoons pedestrian crossing has been a problem for of traffic, so pedestrians will be able to cross the years. Approximately five years ago, the road more easily. Yet the people who work in the pedestrian crossing was moved from the crest to real estate office, which is located right in front of the south of the intersection. It was moved the traffic lights, witness the situation every further north in the hope that that would help morning. Nine staff members of that office wrote alleviate the problem. It did help partially, but a letter to the Minister, which they each signed. obviously there is now more traffic using that The letter states— section of road than there was five years ago, so "Our office is situated on the corner of the risk has increased. Price and Lavelle Streets in Nerang." In addition, a set of traffic lights has been installed at the corner of White and Price Streets, This is The Professionals. The letter further which is just 100 metres further down the road, states— and that is causing problems. Although the "This has been an extremely pedestrian crossing may have been dangerous, dangerous intersection and pedestrian it was nowhere near as dangerous as it is today. crossing for some time. We were hopeful Now, drivers travel through the traffic lights that the traffic lights at Price and White heading north towards Southport and, before Street intersection would alleviate the they know it, they are on the pedestrian problem. crossing. Many drivers are busy watching the The lights were activated last week"— traffic lights at the next intersection, not the pedestrian crossing. They do not see the the letter is dated June last year— crossing or vehicles slowing down in the right "and to our amazement the situation at our lane to allow pedestrians to cross at the crossing. intersection has deteriorated. There is Consequently, a pedestrian can be hit by a car. continual squealing of brakes. It seems the That occurred only 23 days ago, on 31 drivers are speeding after the lights and as January. A young lady, who worked at an office they come up over the knoll find adjacent to the crossing, was returning to the themselves right on this intersection. office from the bank. She was standing on the We feel there will be a fatal accident on median strip. One truck stopped, and the driver the intersection or on the Pedestrian waved her across. She passed by that truck and Crossing if something is not done." looked in its direction, following the driver, who was waving her across. She did not notice the Sure enough, we had a near fatality only 23 days concrete truck that was bearing down upon her. ago. That letter was sent with a covering letter, After she was released from intensive care, she which I wrote, dated 28 June, to Mr Veidis, the discovered that she had suffered internal regional manager. He disagreed with the people injuries, broken ribs and a broken collarbone. I who work at The Professionals. He stated in his attended the scene shortly after the accident reply that there was nothing wrong with that occurred and saw her lying on the ground intersection. His letter states—— soaked in blood. The concrete truck had a big Mr Randell: It is a real disgrace. dent in its front. I saw the truck driver in total shock. Mr CONNOR: That is right; it is a total disgrace. I will table all of these documents. The We have been trying desperately to get that letter states— pedestrian crossing fixed for months. I have copies of letters that have been sent to the "I refer to your letter of 28 June 93 Minister's department in the hope of getting enclosing correspondence from The something done about those traffic lights. Professionals Nerang, regarding the Reports on the matter have appeared twice on intersection of Price and Lavelle Streets. A the front page of newspapers—the Gold Coast similar letter was received from The Bulletin and the Hinterland Sun. Professionals and they have been advised as follows. Mr Randell: Did you get a reply from them? With the installation of the traffic signals at the Price and White Streets intersection, Mr CONNOR: The reply that we received investigations indicate that conditions for from the Minister was to the effect that the department will consider it. That was two months 22 February 1994 7114 Legislative Assembly

pedestrians at the Lavelle Street crossing over a dual carriageway. As a result of intersection have improved." the Transport Department making changes in That letter completely goes against what the policy, the Gold Coast City Council has also people who witness the situation every day are changed its policy, and it is controlling all saying. The letter further states— pedestrian crossings that cross dual carriageways. This intersection would have to be "The signals have reduced the probably one of the last pedestrian crossings continuous traffic stream which existed that is not controlled over a dual carriageway in previously to a series of platoons. This gives Queensland, yet nothing is being done about it. more regular gaps to enable pedestrians to People are almost being killed. We have brought cross safely." it to the Minister's attention, and nothing is being He was proved wrong only 23 days ago. As I done about it. I ask the Minister to deal with the understand it, that girl has just been released problem, and to deal it now. from hospital. Mr J. N. GOSS (Aspley) (8.50 p.m.): Mr I would also like to bring to the attention of Deputy Speaker, I—— the Minister, if he is not already aware of it, that I Honourable members interjected. have had a video camera set up in the window of that Nerang real estate office. That camera is Mr J. N. GOSS: If only I were Kenny turned on every morning at 7.30 and is on during Rogers. I regret that the member for Brisbane the peak hour in the morning and during the Central is not in the Chamber at the moment. He peak hour in the afternoon. We are collecting a speaks with great authority, but I can assure library of all the near misses that have occurred. I members that the substance of his speech is of can guarantee that someone will be hit at that very poor quality. Tonight, the member for intersection. Hopefully, that person will not be Brisbane Central pretended to be an expert on killed but, very shortly, someone will be injured. I the Brisbane City Council bus subsidy. He was can tell the Minister that he will be looking saying that it has not been reduced. It is quite extremely embarrassed when he has to explain obvious that the State Government has reduced on television why, when I have brought this the amount being paid to the Brisbane City problem to his attention continuously, he has Council. Instead of the subsidy being 60 per not done anything about that intersection. I will cent of the fare box, it is now the equivalent of make that video available to the television about 57 per cent because the Labor State stations, and they will embarrass the Minister. He Government has tied the subsidy to CPI has already had two front-page news stories increases. written about this intersection, yet he still has not I understand the need for the Transport done anything. Department to become more efficient, but the The only thing that has happened is that the bureaucracy seems to be becoming more top Transport Department has drawn a couple of heavy every day. This is occurring to the signs on the road. The only trouble is that the detriment of all average Queenslanders, and signs heading north, where the problem exists, particularly the motorists on our roads. The have been placed on that knoll, and people future road corridors that have been planned cannot see them at all. As they drive up to them, already are being kept a secret. A classic the signs are right on the crest. Drivers cannot example is the transport corridor between see the signs at all. I do not know how long I have Everton Park and Bald Hills, which affects the to harp on this subject before the Minister does suburbs of McDowall, Aspley, Bridgeman Downs something about it. For five years, there has and Carseldine. I can never understand why land been a problem with this pedestrian crossing. It acquired for road corridors is not shown in the has been moved. The traffic lights at the White street directory. People are constantly buying Street intersection have not solved the problem. land adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, road A girl has been injured severely as a result, only corridors. People may have no idea that a future six months after I told the Minister that an corridor exists. When people have their solicitors accident would occur. I can honestly tell the carry out checks in regard to such things before Minister one thing: if something is not done purchasing a land or house, the future corridors straightaway, somebody will be killed. If do not show up. Although the department has someone is killed, after the amount of exposure owned this land on the north side for many that this intersection has had, the blood will be years, the only visible indication is the erection of on the Minister's hands. That is a fact. some small "No dumping of rubbish" signs which bear the Department of Transport logo. So many The other matter that really gets to me is that people are misled. In the past, some real estate this intersection is probably one of the last agents have told people that the land is zoned intersections with a non-controlled pedestrian for a future park. Legislative Assembly 7115 22 February 1994

The controversy caused by the southern frustration that will justify the eastern bypass proposal has not been heeded by the corridor/tollway. Government. The rapid expansion of residential The Minister has been to Europe. Millions of development just north of Brisbane is closing off people travel by car in the great cities of Europe the options for additional transport corridors. The such as Italy and Germany. They have six lanes. chance of duplicating the Bruce Highway north They have a higher speed limit than we have in of the Pine River is about to disappear. Recent this country. Some of the roads in Europe are applications for subdivision in the vicinity of both not much better than some of the roads in sides of the highway are now ending any Queensland, particularly those on the north possibility of a transport corridor of a reasonable coast, and they have a higher speed limit. width to the north. Already, the Bruce Highway Despite that, they have a fairly good safety between the Gateway Arterial and the record, and they move vast volumes of motor Redcliffe/Kallangur turn-off is over capacity, and vehicles. Yet, for some reason, we cannot do is overdue for upgrading to six lanes. Yet Albany this. Perhaps one of the reasons that we do not Creek Road is being upgraded from two lanes to have a higher speed limit is the standard of six lanes to allow for some future "conceived" drivers in this country. We give people a licence use. This is typical of ALP planning. for being able to drive around a few blocks and Key roads, such as the Pacific Highway and being able to do a reverse park. In Germany, for parts of the Bruce Highway, are currently well example, people have to undergo 16 hours' over capacity, yet other roads are being widened training before they are entitled to have a and upgraded for a perceived use some time in licence. It is not just about driving around the the future. I do not consider that to be very good block or reverse parking. There is a lot involved. planning. I would have thought that the For example, the have to drive on a skidpan. In Government would allocate funds for the roads Germany, people do not get their licence for with the greatest need. One can only assume being nice; they have to work hard for it. that, although funds are allocated to the Pacific Another issue that we have to look at is the Highway for upgrading, there is a deliberate speed limit on our roads. I know that we have program by the Government to allow the moved to increase the speed limit. The congestion to continue on the Pacific Highway. Travelsafe Committee recommended that we That, in turn, will justify the eastern consider increasing the speed limit to 110 corridor/tollway. It was reported on the radio the kilometres an hour in certain locations on our other morning that the Department of Transport highways. The higher speed limit is being was putting line markings on the road. trialled. I would like to know when some definite Mr Hamill: Are you supporting the eastern decisions will be made and when some corridor? expansion of the current trial will proceed. For Mr J. N. GOSS: What about the real example, the Redcliffe/ Kallangur turn-off to the issues? Why is a Government department north could end up being a 110 kilometre an putting line markings on the Gateway Arterial hour zone. I heard the statement on television during peak hours? It is deliberately designed to that, because motorists were still speeding on create congestion. For example, let us take the the north coast road, it was considered by the construction of the overpass at Pimpama. That department that this could place in jeopardy the overpass took nine months to construct, yet the 110 kilometre an hour speed limit, and that the structural engineer who was engaged as a speed limit might be brought back to 100 consultant by the Department of Transport said kilometres an hour. that, with the proviso of good weather, that Mr Hamill: That was the police, though. overpass could have been constructed in 10 to 12 weeks. Boy, did we have some good weather Mr J. N. GOSS: The speed limit is last year! It was ideal for construction. I still cannot enforced by the police. The Department of understand why a contract for nine months was Transport will decide the speed limit. allowed on such a vital road. I want to voice my concern about signs that One could suggest that it was a little are visible from a motorway. I have no problem cheaper to build the overpass over a long period with the department removing a sign if it can than to have it precast and put into place in as prove that it is a traffic hazard. But it does little as 10 or 12 weeks. But the cost to the concern me that there are probably tens of travelling public on the Pacific Highway has been thousands of signs visible from motorways. How huge. People have missed their planes. Tourists far does the sign have to be from the motorway? buses have not been able to get to the airport on Will the department issue licences for the time. I honestly believe that this is allowed by the erection of signs? Will the department receive Government in order to cause the extreme income from signs that face the motorway? Will it 22 February 1994 7116 Legislative Assembly take more of the responsibility for signs away I turn now to the southern Brisbane bypass. from the local authority? The Transport Minister is delaying the public Another issue—and it arises from my release of an environmental impact assessment background in bus transport in and delaying its submission to Cabinet for what Brisbane—relates to the bus shelter sheds could be nothing more than political reasons. along main roads. My concern is that the The dogs are barking everywhere that the road is Government and the Transport Department have going through and that the decision has been looked at charging a fee to those people who made. The Transport Minister is frightened to advertise on bus shelters. My understanding is take the assessment to Cabinet because the that the people who clean the shelters and offer Labor Party balance of power in the Brisbane advertising space on them are not doing very City Council will be lost if it agrees to the proposal well out of them. In fact, they cannot attract before the Brisbane City Council election. advertising for some of the shelters. If the Secrecy in the interests of party politics has Government is to charge a fee for advertising on been given precedence by a Minister of this those shelters, the people who presently control Government over fairness and full and open them will have no option but to remove them disclosure by that Minister and his department. from main roads and relocate them on Residents in the suburbs of Eight Mile Plains, council-controlled roads, where the council Runcorn, Kuraby, Stretton, Calamvale and dictates they should be located. That will leave Drewvale are being kept in the dark to save the many passengers without bus shelters. If that skins of his Labor colleagues—the Lord Mayor occurs, ultimately the Government will have to and the local alderman, Kevin Bianchi. I did not supply bus shelters. I cannot imagine the State know that the Lord Mayor and the Minister were Government rushing in to erect bus shelters on in the same faction. The Transport Minister Brisbane City Council bus routes. knows only too well that an announcement before the Brisbane City Council election will I am concerned about the distance of signs spell political disaster on the south side. from the highway. Recently, when driving along the Pacific Highway to the Gold Coast, I noticed The Minister and his department are the signs that the Department of Transport has pushing to shove a major highway through areas erected along that route. At night, some of the classified as environmentally significant and signs that are floodlit can really cause a through high density residential areas on distraction for drivers. Drivers pass into the Brisbane's southern outskirts. The routes brightly lit area of the signs, and then pass back proposed will impact heavily on thousands of into the dark. After driving past those signs, one residents in those suburbs. The routes really has to concentrate on adjusting one's proposed transgress the Karawatha forest eyes. In fact, the light from some of those signs which, because of its environmental spills back into the eyes of motorists. I ask the significance, is now on the interim national estate Minister to take on board those comments. I list. believe that that lighting is quite dangerous. Concerned residents seeking information I turn now to Route 20. At one stage, Route are being misled by the Lord Mayor and the local 20 was off. However, the upgrading of Route 20 alderman. The Transport Minister and the State is still on the agenda via a gradual creeping member for Sunnybank know that the road is process. I seek an assurance from the Minister going through and, to save the Labor Party in that this is the end of it and that there will be no the forthcoming council election, are paving the more upgrading. way so that the blame is placed on the Liberals. Strangely, Alderman Soorley failed to mention Mr Hamill: The end of it. that it was the Brisbane City Council Labor Mr J. N. GOSS: The Minister has assured administration that was originally responsible for me that there will be no more upgrading. council planning of the bypass as early as 1974. There is a proposal to hand that in the Pine We do not hear the Lord Mayor or the State Rivers Shire the responsibility for main roads will member for Sunnybank strutting around laying be handed over to the shire. It is not a small claims to that fact. All the Transport Minister can shire, but handing the responsibility for those do is make personal attacks against a group of roads back to a shire in such a sudden manner concerned citizens who will suffer seriously if this will create a tremendous burden. I believe that proposal is adopted. The Minister makes discussions are ongoing, but the feeling is that it personal attacks on the leader of that group in an will occur. Such action will have a serious effect endeavour to distract the general public from the on the budget of a shire the size of Pine Rivers. I real issue. ask the Minister to reconsider that proposal. The real issue is that, with flamboyant disregard for the concerns of affected residents, Legislative Assembly 7117 22 February 1994 the Minister and his department have run a The member for Aspley was just talking farcical community consultation process from day about the southern bypass, which is one of the one at the expense of Queensland taxpayers. important parts of the road structure of Affected residents have been continually led up south-east Queensland. Of course, he was the garden path with misleading information and giving quite a bit of wrong information when he maps. The more lines that appear on the map, said that the Lord Mayor could make decisions the more confusing it becomes. A large on whether or not that road was going ahead. percentage of affected residents are of Asian That is absolute nonsense. I believe what the descent and cannot understand fully the English Lord Mayor was saying to the people was, "Be language. Those citizens were left totally in the reasonable or nobody is going to take any notice dark. Affected residents were promised a full and of your protest. Nobody is going to take any open public consultation process but were notice of what you are suggesting if you are handed a process full of misinformation, lies and unreasonable in all of your suggestions." That is deception. all he was doing. He was giving them good On 5 February, at a public meeting the Lord advice. He was advising them not to be Mayor said that it was the State Government that unreasonable and not to tell untruths. A number would decide on the road—not the council—and of untruths have been told in relation to that that he could not stop it. However, he road—— threatened that, if the residents continued to Mr Hamill interjected. hand out bulletins such as they were on that day, Mr ARDILL: That particular road has been they would get the road. At a public meeting the planned for many years and Alderman Ward, who Lord Mayor was able to promise the road to the is the pretender to become the Lord Mayor of residents if they did not stop protesting against Brisbane, knew all about it. it. That occurred on 5 February. Mr J. N. Goss: You knew about it, too. Mr Santoro: It sounds like thuggery to me. Mr ARDILL: I knew all about it, and I told people about it. I told anyone who stopped still Mr J. N. GOSS: The Lord Mayor is long enough. I told the people of Kuraby and nothing better than a little bullyboy. He is trying Runcorn about it. I can name a dozen people to defend his new-found friend, the Minister for who have come to me over the years and Transport. The Lord Mayor will certainly not take received detailed information from me about that the blame for it until after the election. particular road. One of those people is a person Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (9.07 p.m.): I who is involved in this protest movement. In have much pleasure in supporting the Transport point of fact, the map that I tabled the other night Infrastructure Bill, as I did its attendant Bill, the showed very clearly that Alderman Ward knew Transport Planning and Coordination Bill. The that that freeway was to go through. The land in two pieces of legislation are interlocked. This Bill question that we were discussing on that sets up a proper basis for providing occasion—the corrupt land swap in which he infrastructure—a basis that this State has never took part—was right in the corridor of that road. had, and it is welcomed warmly. It will put on a The map showed a subdivision on the northern formal basis the planning and infrastructure not side of the land that Ward accepted as a swap for only of roads but also of ports and railways. the proper parks contribution. That subdivision During my contribution to this debate, I want to was shown clearly as taking in the site of a refer in particular to roads. proposed road. The map stated words to the Although the main objective of the effect of "Future road corridor". That road led Transport Planning and Coordination Bill was to into the corridor, and that is the corridor under control planning, in some instances this Bill also the powerlines that Ward accepted in that deals with planning. One of the features of the corrupt deal. He knew it at the time, and he Bill is that it will require local governments to should have told the people about it. He consult with the Department of Transport before certainly should not have made that deal. He they approve developments in an area which cannot deny it. could have an impact on the major road system Alderman Ward also knew that he allowed of the State. I welcome that provision. I believe the corridor—which should have been wide that all other members of the Travelsafe enough—to be compromised. That corridor was Committee will support that provision. It impacts compromised because the Brisbane City on road safety not only on the major highways Council, under the auspices of Alderman Ward, but also in residential streets. Proper planning of failed to leave a wide enough corridor. People the road system and a road hierarchy is essential came to me and said, "We did not know there to road safety. This Bill will go a long way to was going to be a road corridor on our back assisting with that proper planning function. fences." I said, "What did you think that was for?" 22 February 1994 7118 Legislative Assembly

They said, "The real estate agent told us that that an hour. We have seen the Gold Coast highway was going to be a park." I said, "A park one continue to be developed as a freeway, which it kilometre long by about a chain and a half wide! should have been right from the start. We have That does not sound like a park to me. Why seen duplication of the road beyond Nerang didn't you ask the alderman?" They said, "We and, unfortunately, at this stage, we have not couldn't get anything out of him." corrected the mistakes of the past. Nerang Mr J. N. Goss: You don't sound very should never have been built the way it was built, convincing. with three sets of traffic lights in the town centre and no overpasses. These mistakes cannot be Mr ARDILL: Many untruths have been corrected overnight. No matter how clever David told about that corridor, and Alderman Ward is Hamill is, he does not have a magic wand to deeply involved in it. I have tabled the map, so correct all of the mistakes of the past. We have the honourable member cannot deny it. The seen the Warrego-Cunningham Highway map is there for members to inspect if they doubt between Brisbane and Ipswich upgraded to what I am saying. Anyway, that is an aside. What I reduce the number of fatal accidents which were want to talk about is the fact that this Bill sets up a regular feature of that road. While we have the proper infrastructure and the proper heard members of the Opposition come into this procedures to enable the planning of future Chamber tonight and talk a lot of ghoulish roads throughout Queensland. In the past, that nonsense, it cannot be denied that that has not been done. upgrading of our major western highway has When I came into this Parliament, the rendered that particular road much safer than it National Party Main Roads Minister was honest was when Labor took office. enough to admit that the road systems of These things have to be done on a properly Queensland and some other States, including planned basis, and that is exactly what has New South Wales, were in a state of chaos. He happened. Instead of doing a little bit here and a admitted that for at least two decades proper little bit there and reacting to criticism, we have road maintenance had not been carried out. He seen a steady upgrading of the Warrego- also admitted that we had not allocated a proper Cunningham Highway to the point at which it is quotient of available funding for maintenance now capable of carrying a massive volume of and another quotient for major construction. traffic. It is the busiest highway in Queensland. It Under David Hamill, this Government has is much busier than the Pacific Highway in New done something to redress this situation. There South Wales in regard to which the New South has been no slackening of major construction, Wales Government is continually harping about particularly in south-east Queensland. I am the need for Federal funds to carry out an certainly not saying that this work is happening upgrade. One of the busiest roads in Australia is only in south-east Queensland, because I have that western highway out of Brisbane. seen the major construction going on A lot still needs to be done. Major roads that throughout this State on the Flinders Highway, have been shown on the plan for years as a the Capricorn Highway, the Bruce Highway up concept need to be constructed. As I mentioned near Bowen, and even out between Mount Isa the other day when I was speaking to the and Camooweal. That construction has gone on Transport Planning and Coordination Bill, all the a pace under David Hamill, but the maintenance smart operators know where those roads are but side has not been forgotten. I believe that this the general public does not. That is the reason Bill will ensure that maintenance is carried out on we end up with situations such as the one that is a properly planned basis, which is essential. being experienced at the moment in the area of When the Labor Party came to Government, the proposed southern bypass. Although 40 per cent of our roads were in a shocking state people of the ilk of the pretender to the throne of repair—in fact, so much so that the Minister of Brisbane told nobody about it and people admitted that a lot of the roads were beyond were conned into buying land right alongside it redemption. Many of them had to be dug up and by real estate agents who were smart operators, started all over again. I have seen that happen that corridor has always been proposed. Similar throughout the State. I want to thank the Minister situations have arisen in many parts of Brisbane. and the department, especially for the work that Mr J. N. Goss: Why doesn't the has been done in the metropolitan region and Government dot them in the street directory like south-east Queensland generally. it used to 20 or 30 years ago? We have seen the major road to the north Mr ARDILL: The construction of these coast and to northern Queensland—the Bruce roads should be investigated properly and the Highway—upgraded to the stage at which it is public should be advised of them. Some of them now safe to travel on that road at 110 kilometres will probably be redundant and some of them will Legislative Assembly 7119 22 February 1994 not be constructed in the way that was originally My constituents and I were assured that the envisaged because of changing population new service and infrastructure arrangement trends. This Bill will allow that to occur. It will allow would be user friendly and environment friendly the proper infrastructure to be planned, to be and of a standard that would be satisfactory to all designed and to be constructed. I welcome the users. These assurances were given against a Bill, and I support it. backdrop of massive community opposition to Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader the changes and a backdrop of community of the Liberal Party) (9.19 p.m.): I wish to take the disbelief of the assurances provided. Anyway, I opportunity afforded to me by this Bill to bring to promised the Minister that I would provide him the attention of the House, and particularly the and the House with feedback on the effect Honourable the Minister, the effects of transport which the termination of passenger rail services infrastructure rearrangements recently forced on on the Eagle Junction-Pinkenba rail line and its a section of my electorate. Later on, I also wish to substitution with a midibus or minibus service touch on several other issues that impinge on would have on the travelling amenity of my the transport infrastructure within my electorate constituents. This is what I want to do today, and and, in particular, how that infrastructure unfortunately for the Minister and my impinges on the livability of various sections of constituents the feedback is not pleasant. my electorate. Firstly, I wish to talk about timetables and In the first instance, I wish to refer to the their reliability. Rarely a week goes past that I do termination of passenger rail services along the not receive a number of calls and Eagle Junction to Pinkenba line and their correspondence detailing a disjuncture between replacement with a bus shuttle service along the the minibus timetable and the timetable of streets in my electorate. At the time, the Minister Queensland Rail. The discrepancies affect many and his bureaucrats assured me and my types of commuters who use the bus shuttle constituents that the level and quality of service service, but I am particularly concerned about the which would be provided by the substitute bus effect that they have on elderly people and and shuttle service would not represent a school children. These and, indeed, many other decline in transport services for my constituents. categories of passengers have specific At the time, I assured the Minister and his appointments to keep and need to be at certain departmental officers that, if a lapse or lapses in places at certain times. Unfortunately, many have service occurred, I would bring this to his told me that, on many occasions, they have attention and that of his officers. been unable to do so. I have passed the details of some of the representations made to me to In the main I have done so via the Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail correspondence with the Chief Executive and other departmental officers and will continue Officer of Queensland Rail, Mr Vince O'Rourke, a to do so as some of the more extreme cases of person whom I find to be courteous and utterly timetable disjuncture are brought to my professional in his dealings with me, even when attention. If I had to bring to their attention every his department is implementing unpopular complaint in relation to this particular matter, I am Goss/Hamill Government policies, such as the sure that they would not be performing too many closure of railway lines and the termination of other duties on behalf of the public of passenger rail services in my electorate. Mr Queensland. O'Rourke and his officers have done their utmost to iron out the problems I have brought to The assurance was also provided to me that their attention. However, many problems and the new arrangements would be comfortable inequities still exist and persist in my electorate ones and that commuters on the new midibus as a result of the rail infrastructure re- shuttle service would not experience personal arrangements to which I have referred. hardship. I have stood next to the midi shuttle bus stop opposite the Eagle Junction railway In the context of this contribution, it is station when it has been pouring rain and have important to note that, when the passenger rail watched many a rail come midibus commuter and services were terminated on the Eagle Junction vice versa get drenched when, only a few to Pinkenba line, every assurance was provided months ago, the very same people enjoyed the to me and my constituents that a decline of protection of generous railway station awnings. service would not occur in terms of passenger services. This guarantee was provided to me by I suggest to the Minister that the Brisbane the Director-General of the Department of City Council, which has taken over the running of Transport, the Chief Executive Officer of the midibus shuttle service, should be required Queensland Rail and, indeed, by the Minister at to provide shelters at all midibus stops so that full a public meeting and via official correspondence. protection from the sun, the rain and the wind can be provided to my constituents who use that 22 February 1994 7120 Legislative Assembly clearly inferior passenger transport service. Of and that the pollution concerns of the course, I could also make considerable comment objectors were unfounded. about the complaints about overcrowding on the Please explain to me then why full size trains—not on the buses—and I will come back and not midi-size buses are operating and to the point about overcrowding on the buses. why Queensland Rail misled the public on But I will not go into any great detail about this this point prior to the services commencing. point, because I am sure that the Minister and his officers would have received many complaints There can be no suggestion that the about the overcrowding experienced by rail capacity of the midi-size buses is commuters as a result of timetable changes. inadequate. I have reluctantly, due to necessity, travelled by bus to and from Complaints about overcrowding have Eagle Junction Station at peak hour on a certainly been coming in thick and fast to my number of occasions and at no stage has office from constituents who reluctantly use the there been more than a handful of midibus shuttle service and then have to endure passengers on the bus. Midi-buses are the sardine treatment on the Minister's rail more than adequate on this route." system. I must admit that the massive overcrowding problem reported to me in the As a further comment in relation to usage, in early stages of the implementation of the new his letter my constituent said— system has subsided, but the complaints are still "Queensland Rail made a great issue coming in—if not in as large a number as out of how the public would benefit from the originally was the case. Tomorrow I will be additional after-hours service and Sunday informing the Chief Executive Officer of services. From observing the way the public Queensland Rail via official correspondence of a have responded to this service it is clear that very detailed representation in relation to an 8 seater van could handle the capacity of overcrowding. Perhaps if the Minister doubts the passengers at these times. It is a sheer veracity of what I am saying, he may wish to ask waste of taxpayers money and a source of his Chief Executive Officer to provide him with unnecessary air and noise pollution to have copies of that representation. full size buses, driven by a very lonely At the public meetings, and via official driver, operating at these times." correspondence, my constituents and I were That was said by one of my constituents who has told that the new bus shuttle alternative would a very good view of what precisely is happening not only be more user friendly but also would be in relation to midibuses and minibuses. I suggest environmentally more acceptable and friendly. I to the Minister that, in this particular case, the wish to address briefly the issue of bus size and Brisbane City Council is not living up to its end of patronage. I ask honourable members to the bargain. If the Minister disputes that, he may remember that we were promised minibuses or wish to explain why full-sized buses are in use on midibuses because they would be user friendly that route, particularly in view of the concerns and environmentally more palatable than the that were expressed at public meetings that full- larger buses. To challenge the outcome and sized buses would cause a greater degree of effect as opposed to these expressed pollution and congestion on roads. intentions, I wish to quote directly from a Some of the most drastic effects of the new representation to Queensland Rail by one of my infrastructure arrangements have been on constituents. In his letter to Vince O'Rourke, the people with physical disabilities, and we warned Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail, that the Minister and his departments that this would constituent said— be the case. I just wish to draw to the attention of "The fact of the matter is that the Minister and the House the impact that the approximately 2 out of every 3 buses new midibus shuttle system has had on one operating on this route are full size buses. such person. I assure the Minister that there are As the Doomben bus terminus is right many examples of people with physical outside my front door, I can assure you that disabilities who have come to me as their the additional noise and air pollution caused representative and asked, "What can you do by full size buses compared to midi-size about it?" I have made representations on their buses is very considerable! behalf. I have steered them directly to the When objectors to the introduction of various people within the bureaucracy who may the bus/rail service raised pollution issues, be able to take the advice on board and Queensland Rail and the Minister himself hopefully suggest and implement some stated at public meetings held that midi-size technical solutions. But this is just one example buses would be operated on this service of one person who has a real problem. The problem is not just a physical one. As I shall Legislative Assembly 7121 22 February 1994 outline in a minute, it has become a very service. I will eventually inform my electorate and expensive one. this Parliament of the facts if the Minister The person to whom I refer is a former polio chooses not to do so prior to my research being patient with both arms, legs, feet, neck—in fact, completed. all body muscles being affected by that dreadful I am seeking the information that I have ailment. He was laid up in a bed for four years requested from his officers about usage, via before Sister Kenny got him semi-mobile. I freedom of information requests, if that is stress that, on the advice of his medical possible, and I will then seek to dispute the practitioners, because of the jerks he would notion going around that this particular service is experience from brakes being applied, which a great success. I have stood outside these does happen often on public transport vehicles, stops for midibuses and minibuses. I have stood he is not allowed to travel on buses at all on at both ends of the line of that particular service. account of his spine. I am sure that the Minister There are fewer people, certainly at peak hours, would agree with that. So that constituent which is one of the periods which is of most cannot use the bus, and he does not have the concern to the people involved in transport passenger rail service, which was physically far infrastructure planning. The people using the less traumatic than the current alternative, service at that time are very few indeed. previously available to him. He tells me that he I want to flag a couple of other issues while I feels like he is in the middle of a desert. He have the opportunity. I will be extremely brief in commutes to the shops at Toombul and relation to these matters. The first one is the Lutwyche by taxi at the estimated cost of $1,300 Nundah bottleneck. Again, I mention to the dollars a year. Plus, to go to other places by taxi, Minister that there is a great degree of the cost is way over $2,000 a year. So much for a uncertainty that relates to that particular issue. user-friendly service and an economical one, The information that I have is that the Minister is too! at the moment considering several options that I could go on for a considerable amount of have been placed before him by his time about the adverse effects on my departmental officers. I implore the Minister to constituents of the decision to terminate come to a decision in terms of his and his passenger rail services along the Eagle department's long-term views as to this problem Junction-Pinkenba rail line. Suffice to say that that should be resolved sooner rather than later. today the replacement midibus shuttle service is I ask this for the simple reason that people are viewed by my constituents with as much concern abandoning their shops and businesses along and cynicism as it was at the time that it was that strip shopping centre because of the introduced. This is for the reasons that I have uncertainty that is continuing as a result of the stated and for others which I will continue to talk issue dragging on. The people will very much about in the future, much to the annoyance of appreciate his efforts and hail him as being the Minister and some of his officers. competent in regard to this issue if he can give Mr Hamill: I am not annoyed. some clear guidance and direction in relation to this issue. Mr SANTORO: The Minister is not annoyed by it. I can only express sadness that Mr Hamill: Any decision? the Minister does not take these representations Mr SANTORO: I think people would be seriously. happy if he announced a decision. They want a Mr Hamill: I'll take your comments on decision and a commitment of funds. As the local board. I take it seriously, but I am not annoyed. member, I will reserve my right to protect the Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection of interests of my constituents along the lines that I the Minister that he is not annoyed. have previously outlined-—— Mr Hamill: I do take it seriously. Mr Hamill: You want the decision so you Mr SANTORO: He does take it seriously. can oppose it. We look forward from that expression of Mr SANTORO: I assure the Minister that if seriousness to some action. he comes up with a constructive decision and if In the meanwhile, I inform the Minister, if he he cares to consult me, I certainly have views that has not already been informed, that I have I can express on behalf of my constituents. I several FOI requests in the pipeline seeking have expressed those views in this place before. information about the reasons why the Eagle All I can say is that I will not oppose his decision Junction-Pinkenba passenger rail service was or his solution if it is in the best interests of my terminated and what level of utilisation is being constituents. I have outlined those particular enjoyed by its replacement minibus shuttle points. 22 February 1994 7122 Legislative Assembly

Mr Hamill: Which option do you like best? Mr Hamill: Why did you write to the Mr SANTORO: I do not know which Federal Minister about it for? options have been presented to the Minister. Mr SANTORO: For the very simple Mr Hamill interjected. reason that if the Federal Minister for Tourism—— Mr SANTORO: I am not going to come into that. If the Minister wants to call me into his Mr Hamill: You said "Transport". office, as the local member I will be very happy to Mr SANTORO: I wrote to both the Federal give him my advice as to which option I think is Minister for Tourism and the Federal Minister for best. It is up to him to take up my offer. I will be Transport just in case there were funds available happy to talk to him about that. that might have been possibly allocated to the The other issue, which I am sure the beautification—— Minister will be aware of, if he is monitoring the Mr Hamill: For council roads. queries that are coming into his department, is the rather murky issue which is called the traffic Mr SANTORO: It may be a council road, corridor through Wooloowin and Kallangur. but there are few people who would not agree When my constituents ring the departmental that Nudgee Road is a very major road in terms of officers that I have advised them to ring, they get the type of traffic—both industrial traffic and various messages. Some say that the messages tourist traffic—that it carries. I believe that there are along the lines that there is some planning should be a role for the State Government in the going on. Others suggest that the planning has beautification of major thoroughfares, particularly been completed. Others say that, there are when they lead to and from the international recommendations before the Minister. Others airport. say that even if the planning had been finished The other issue is that of sound barriers and any of the recommendations were accepted along the Gateway Arterial, which backs onto by the Minister, there is not sufficient money in certain residential sections of my electorate. The the kitty to see any option come to fruition. Gateway Arterial was not always there. However, There is a great degree of uncertainty within that once it was constructed the people in that neck particular area. People want two questions of the woods started suffering a real residential answered. At what stage is the planning? When, "disamenity". They are writing saying that they if any, is construction going to take place? lived here for a long time and they feel that they Another issue which I have raised and about deserve the same consideration that residents which I must admit that I have received a who back onto the South East Freeway are tremendous run-around is what I call transport enjoying and that sound barriers should be built corridor beautification. I wrote to the Brisbane to afford them protection. Some people are City Council and to the Federal Ministers for putting up massive barriers themselves and they Tourism and Transport. I have written to the are decorating them without all sorts of Minister and his department about beautifying commercial and other signs. It is very unsightly. streets such as Nudgee Road and Kingsford- Mr Hamill: You're their representative. Smith Drive. In all of the time that I have been in this place and making representations on behalf Mr SANTORO: I am raising these issues of constituents I have never got as big a run- because I am the representative of the people around as I have about this issue. and they have asked me to bring these particular matters to the attention of the Minister. I hope Mr Hamill interjected. that if he is not able to address my concerns and Mr SANTORO: They tell me that it is not those of my constituents in his reply because the responsibility of this person and it is not the time is limited, he may consider taking my points responsibility of this department. They are on board and responding formally at a later date. always passing the buck onto someone else. I Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister will give credit where credit is due. Some officer for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier from the Brisbane City Council who saw this on Economic and Trade Development) (9.39 particular issue raised by me in the local p.m.) in reply: Some time ago, I was interested to newspaper actually gave me call the other day read the editorial of Business Queensland of 7 and said, "It is on the program and we are going February 1994 under the heading "Nationals to indulge in the boulevarding of Nudgee Road need to move with the times". The editor in the next financial year." I was very grateful for wrote— that feedback. I take the opportunity to give credit to that particular person and to that "There are times when the National initiative. Party in Queensland confuses us. Legislative Assembly 7123 22 February 1994

The party positions itself as the better have a clue about the passenger transport half of the conservative alternatives to Labor policy. Indeed, with all the posturing and the governments. Presumably, any histrionics by the honourable member for conservative alternative would favour Caloundra, one thing was very clear: the market forces prevailing over a government- members of the Liberal Party in Opposition do regulated economy. not talk to each other. Yet, we see again and again positions Mr Beattie: And they have no policies. which more reflect the tradition of the Mr HAMILL: As the member said, they National Party as the country party, and have no policies. I can understand the Liberal that's in a country which remains essentially Party leader in this place not wishing to talk to the heavily guarded by agrarian socialism. And Liberal Party leader at City Hall. Obviously, she nowhere has agrarian socialism remained so would not want to associate with a loser. consistently strong as in rural Queensland." However, the honourable member for Caloundra I might say that not only is there confusion in was making great play that this Government the mind of the editorial writer of Business allegedly did not have a policy on passenger Queensland as to where the National Party transport. I suggest to the honourable member stands, but if that person was present in this for Caloundra that she take the trouble to talk to place today, no doubt that person could only the member for Aspley who, obviously, has a conclude that confusion reigns not only in the copy of the policy that has been issued by this National Party but also in its Liberal coalition Government. He may not understand it, but at partner. The approach that the Opposition has least he has a copy of it. She might even talk to taken to this Bill is, at best, contradictory. I should Alderman Ward in the Brisbane City Council. On say that it is at best ill-informed and, at worst, the weekend, he was waving around a totally contradictory. One of the Opposition document, claiming that it had been leaked. I say spokespeople, the honourable member for that it was more like a torrent because copies of Gregory, started attacking the Bill on the basis that document had been distributed widely that it was some sort of handover to the private throughout the transport industry over three sector. I would have thought that these bastions months ago. On numerous occasions I have of free enterprise, the strong supporters of small answered questions in this House about the the business, would have welcomed more private Government's policy on improving the provision sector involvement in the delivery of transport of passenger transport services in Queensland. infrastructure and services. But no, the Indeed, the member for Redlands, who is honourable member for Gregory hid behind present this evening in this place, asked slogans—attacking the economic rationalists— questions about how services would be until he reached the last part of his speech when improved in his electorate under this he started supporting the private sector. Government's passenger transport policy. So it is pretty rich for the Leader of the Liberal Party to Mr De Lacy: Is he a Left Winger? Is he a claim that this Government does not have a Right Winger? Or is he a Left/Right Winger? policy about passenger transport. I suggest that Mr HAMILL: He might just be a hooker. she consult a little more with her own confused That confusion was not confined to the member coalition colleagues. That way, she may learn a for Gregory. The member for Caloundra, the little bit about the subject. Leader of the Liberal Party, started attacking the Still on the subject of confusion—nothing is private bus operators on the Sunshine Coast. If I perhaps more confusing than trying to ascertain delve into the thought processes of the exactly where the coalition stands in relation to honourable member, I would think that she was the Pacific Highway and the eastern corridor suggesting that this Government should buy a proposal. Earlier today, the member for Gregory fleet of minibuses and run the public transport said, "Get in there and build it." I take on board system on the Sunshine Coast. his opinion. However, I wish that that Opposition Mr Johnson: She didn't say that. spokesperson would talk to the other Opposition spokesperson. Tweedledum should Mr HAMILL: That is certainly what the talk to Tweedledumber, because honourable member implied. In fairness to the Tweedledumber could not give us a policy honourable member, it was difficult to know position in relation to the eastern corridor. He exactly what she was saying. claimed that he had a view, but he would not Mr Beattie: And she didn't know what she share it with us. Perhaps the pair of them should was saying, either. talk to my mate the member for Nerang, who I Mr HAMILL: I take the honourable know has a view on a whole range of things. I am member's interjection. Quite clearly, from the sure that he can comment on every intersection honourable member's approach, she did not that is proposed along the eastern corridor. I 22 February 1994 7124 Legislative Assembly certainly know where he stands. He stands, spreading falsehoods and trying to generate a "Sometimes yes" and "Sometimes no". At least local political issue. Even the concerned he almost reaches a position on the issue. residents group is headed by a person who was Mr Beattie: He's a good coalitionist. trying to gain Liberal Party preselection for the local ward for the forthcoming council election. Mr HAMILL: He is a good coalitionist. He There certainly has not been much information does not know whether he is with the member spread by that group, and the quality of that for Gregory or with the member for Aspley. He is prospective representation was not accepted by somewhere in between. What an invidious the Liberal Party as being desirable in that area. position for the member for Nerang on such an However, that demonstrates that consultation is important issue— squashed between the an important process that this Government member for Gregory and the member for Aspley. undertakes for the future planning of That is the problem with the Opposition in this infrastructure. place. There is no coherence. One could hardly call the two parties a coalition. When it comes to a I ask the members of this House to note the transport policy, it is not even a meeting of comments that were made by the member for minds. Sunnybank this afternoon. He expressed his Mr T. B. Sullivan: It wouldn't be much of views on that very important issue as it relates to a collision. his area. He canvassed the impacts that traffic has on the quality of life and the enjoyment of Mr HAMILL: I think the honourable the people who live in that area, the member for Chermside may have hit the nail on environmental impacts and, of course, the the head with his contribution. needs of the area for the future. Last week, when the Transport Planning Some members opposite talked about the and Coordination Bill was before this House, I enormous growth taking place. The task before made some comments about the whole issue of us is to strike an appropriate balance that transport planning. In that context, I said—and a recognises the needs of the community now number of members agreed with the points that I and into the future. Such needs include having made—that consultation is important. Certainly, lungs in our cities so that they may breathe; consultation is important before we reach the maintaining open space and caring for the position where we determine future transport environment. Those are processes that this corridors, the placement of infrastructure, the Government has been undertaking. acquisition of land that may be involved and, indeed, the construction. Tonight was a very A number of other comments were made by good example of how difficult that process of honourable members in relation to the important consultation can be. On the one hand, the process of road-funding reform. The member for member for Toowoomba North was saying, Toowoomba North canvassed a meeting of local "Fast-track it. It causes people concern, so government authorities in the Darling Downs fast-track it." In other words, he wanted the area last year. A couple of them were Government to curtail the research and the complaining about road funding. I remember that consultation that it is undertaking and to make a incident only too well. A couple of councillors decision. The member for Aspley attacked the saw very substantial construction jobs coming Government on the extensive consultation it has their way. They wanted these jobs to be brought engaged in with the community in the on quickly. They knew that that could not last. Kuraby/Sunnybank/Stretton area. We cannot always have the big projects. Those Mr J. N. Goss: They don't know about it councillors knew that there would be a leaner yet. time in relation to major construction work in the future. Mr HAMILL: We make no apology for that consultation. The member now claims that they We have a protocol with the Local do not know about. The only person who did not Government Association of Queensland. It seem to know about it was Alderman Ward, who strongly supports this Government's road reform is the alderman representing the area. He went initiatives. Why would it not? Road reform is on radio saying that there had been no delivering more road for the dollar—more consultation. My office has received many letters blacktop for the buck. All local authorities in that demonstrate quite clearly that there has Queensland that I visit are always on about been a lot of consultation and a lot of community getting more road construction in their areas. input. That is exactly what this Government is delivering. As a Government, we have been very I thank the Liberal Party, because it has proud of our efforts right across the State in been trying to assist in the consultation process; delivering our road program. Last year, a record although, admittedly, it has done so by Legislative Assembly 7125 22 February 1994 road program was delivered in Queensland by the four-lane Station Road to Caboolture this Government. River Road section of Burpengary- In spite of some reduction in available Caboolture Road, $3m; funding owing to the winding up of the One the construction of the new Belli Creek No. Nation program, we again delivered a massive 3 bridge on the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road, road budget into the State this year. That is why I $1.1m; was absolutely staggered when, in a shrill attack the completion of McIntosh Creek crossing upon the Government in a most animated form, and the approaches on the Gympie-Brooloo the member for Caloundra claimed that this Road, $1.45m; Government was doing nothing at all for transport infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast. the construction of the new Obi Obi Creek The honourable member cannot spend too bridge on the Landsborough-Maleny Road, much time on the Sunshine Coast. I thought that $500,000; honourable members might like to know what we have not been doing on the Sunshine Coast. We have allocated about $140m for road infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast. Mr Nunn: Oh, you wretch! Mr HAMILL: I take the honourable member's interjection, because I know that the honourable member for Hervey Bay would love to see funds of that magnitude directed into his electorate. The point I make is this: even though the Sunshine Coast is not blessed with strong representation in this House, this Government cares about the population growth of that region. We do care about delivering infrastructure across regional Queensland. Even though the Sunshine Coast has not returned members in this Government, we have not done a Joh Bjelke-Petersen and cut off its funds. We have not done what the former Premier did when he went to Mount Isa. He said. "If you do not vote for my candidate, you do not get the dam." That is not how this Government operates. This Government is a Government for all Queensland. Our commitment to the Sunshine Coast demonstrates that. The member for Caloundra is not in the House at the moment. I am sure that she will enjoy reading about this in Hansard. I list the following projects for her information— the completion of the Sunshine Motorway Stage II, $53.9m; upgrading works on the David Low Way and Burgess Creek bridge, $3m; the complete reconstruction of the Caloundra Road on Caloundra's western outskirts and construction of passing ways on the Little Mountains section, $5.1m; the four laning works, intersection reconstruction and other improvements to Maroochydore Road, including the current Kunda Park project, $11.34m; the reconstruction of Gympie Terrace at Tewantin on the Cooroy-Noosa Road, $2.45m; 22 February 1994 7126 Legislative Assembly

the commencement of a project to upgrade two kilometres of the Maleny-Kenilworth Road, $1.5m; the completion of the Mooloolah bridge and approaches on Mooloolah connection Road, $660,000; and the reconstruction work, new traffic signals, resurfacing and other improvements to the Caloundra-Noosa Road, $3.1m. That is $87.1m worth of expenditure which, according to the member for Caloundra, did not exist. In addition, there has been Federal funding in the area for— Yandina deviation; $30m; Cooroy bypass; $18.5m; and various Bruce Highway works south of Gympie, $4.5. That is $30m in total from the Commonwealth. As well as that, $900,000 has been spent by this Government on our Safe Bikeway Program. I seek leave to have incorporated in Hansard a table which sets out the works that this program alone has delivered to the Sunshine Coast. Leave granted.

SAFE BIKEWAYS PROGRAM 1992/93 (GYMPIE) Projects to be completed Sunshine Coast Local Project Details Key Dates Key Dates Cost Authority Commenced Completed $ Caloundra Caloundra-Noosa Road—provide access to Caloundra High School from North Caloundra 5/93 6/93 80,000 Caloundra Glenview State School along Glenview Road to Dunne Road 5/93 6/97 105,000 Maroochy Pacific Paradise School 1/93 5/93 210,000 Maroochy Coolum State School (David Low Way from Suncoast Beach to Yinnoburra) 3/93 4/93 110,000 Maroochy Maroochydore High School Maroochydore Road 2/93 3/93 100,000 Maroochy Palmwoods State School from Hunchy Road across the new Paynters Creek footbridge to the school along Woombye Montville Road 4/93 4/93 36,000 Maroochy Woombye State School (Pine Grove Road extension to Blackall Street from Junes Court) 3/93 4/93 26,000 Maroochy School Road and Flemming Street to Railway Street 2/93 4/93 66,000 Noosa Cooroy Lake McDonald Drive Cooroy—bikeway from residential area to Cooroy State School 3/93 3/93 15,000 Noosa Tewantin Saint Andrews Drive extension to bikeway link from residential area to Tewantin State School 3/93 4/93 20,000 Noosa Noosa Heads Noosa Parade, Noosa Sound access to Transit Centre, bridge widening and associated bikeway link from residential and tourist accommodation area 4/93 6/93 124,000 Noosa Sunshine Beach Wollomia Way to old Burgess Creek bridge extension of bikeway link from residential area to Sunshine Beach State School, Saint Thomas More Catholic School and Sunshine Beach Primary School 4/93 5/93 20,000

Mr HAMILL: Unlike the member for recognise that this Government has been Caloundra, who shows neither appreciation nor sincere in its delivery of infrastructure services knowledge of the efforts of this Government, I across the State. The same sorts of initiatives think all other honourable members would could be listed for every other region in Legislative Assembly 7127 22 February 1994

Queensland. We have delivered the goods in This Government will not take all the credit terms of infrastructure across the State. for the reduction in the road toll. It would be quite I guess one does not expect an Opposition dishonest to do so. We recognise the to necessarily appreciate the difficulties in substantial contribution that has been made to delivering such infrastructure projects. We heard improved safety over a long period. Initiatives a compliant from the member for Clayfield such as improved vehicle design, random breath concerning the removal of passenger rail testing and the campaigns that we have run to services on the Eagle Junction-Pinkenba line in encourage children to wear helmets when riding Brisbane. We heard complaints from the Liberal pushbikes have contributed to that improved member for Caloundra regarding rail services into safety record. Collectively as a community, we that area. As I pointed out in this House last can be proud of the initiatives that have been week, there are lengthy lead times in providing taken and the gains that we have made. That is major transport infrastructure. It took two years to why it sickens me to hear a contribution such as provide new railway rolling stock for the that I heard from the member for Nerang tonight, metropolitan system alone. But this Government who is running a "blood on your hands" type has placed the orders and it has found the argument. The member for Nerang said, "There funds. This infrastructure is coming on line. will be a fatality here if nothing is done. There will be a fatality there if nothing is done." Obviously, The question that the honourable member every fatality will occur in the Nerang electorate! for Clayfield and the honourable member for Caloundra ought to ask is: why was provision not Every member of this House—whether they made long before for this much-needed sit on the Government side or the Opposition infrastructure? Why have we had to wait for this side—is concerned about road safety. I believe Government's four years in office to seek to that all members can identify potential hazards in deliver the infrastructure for which these areas their electorates. They all wish that we could have begged for generations? Why is it so? legislate that there should be no fatalities on our There was no commitment and no roads, that we could legislate accidents away. planning—only rhetoric. These are areas which However, I believe that all members understand return members of the Opposition. that we must direct funds to the highest priority areas. We must identify the black spots, and we Mr Nunn: There should be truth in must rectify those black spots. I will not buckle sentencing. under the attempted blackmail in which the Mr HAMILL: There should be truth in honourable member for Nerang indulged, with sentencing. his ghoulish report on road fatalities in his A Government member: They should electorate. get life. Mr T. B. Sullivan: A crude and Mr HAMILL: I think they will get life—life amateurish attempt, too. on the Opposition benches. That is the Mr HAMILL: That is what we have come to sentence they deserve—political obscurity. expect from the honourable member for Nerang. Some mention was made of road safety in This legislation is an important part of the the debate. This Government has given great range of legislation that will take transport priority to road safety initiatives. Contrary to the planning and provision in our State into the assertions of the member for Nerang, we have future. Honourable members appreciate that this not been reactive in relation to road safety; we Bill is not complete. The parts of the Bill that will have been pro-active in the programs that we cover rail infrastructure and port infrastructure are have brought about to enhance road safety yet to be drafted, and they are to become education and road safety awareness in this modules of this legislation. State. Those initiatives have been bearing fruit, This legislation simplifies the arrangements. which is evidenced by the reduction in the road The powers that are necessary in terms of the toll in Queensland. provision of infrastructure will be located in one While there is some evidence that shows a place. Those powers will be understandable and link between road fatalities and economic coherent. That is something that the people of activity—a link between the number of deaths on Queensland will appreciate. They will know quite our roads and the number of vehicles that are clearly where the Government powers are moving about on our roads—let us recognise coming from, what their rights are and the that, at a time while the Queensland economy obligations of the Government in relation to continued to expand over difficult years of transport planning and infrastructure provision. I recession in Australia, the road toll in commend the Bill to the House. Queensland fell. Motion agreed to. 22 February 1994 7128 Legislative Assembly

Minister to respond to those proposed Committee amendments. Hon. D. J. Hamill (Ipswich—Minister for Mr HAMILL: Although I can understand Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on the intent of the Opposition amendment, I Economic and Trade Development) in charge of believe it to be seriously flawed. The Opposition the Bill. spokesperson has commented that a local government ought to receive compensation in Clauses 1 to 21, as read, agreed to. the event of a revocation. Although I can Clause 22— understand the intent of that provision, it should Mr JOHNSON (10.22 p.m.): I move— be understood that this clause does not deal simply with revocation; it also contains a measure "At page 22, line 13—after for the making of a declaration. 'declaration'— The Opposition has conveniently forgotten insert 'and compensation after that, in the process of the determination of the revocation'. road network, from time to time it may be that At page 22, after line 21— roads that were previously the responsibility of insert— local government are taken on by the State Government and vice versa. We have just gone '(2) If a declaration under section 21 is through the process of our road plan review. revoked, the State must pay reasonable There have been a number of cases in which compensation to each local government there has indeed been an exchange of that assumes control of the road or route or responsibility between the State Government part of the road or route concerned. and local government with respect to roads. '(3) The amount of compensation Those exchanges have taken into consideration under subsection (2) is an amount that the condition of the roads of the respective reimburses the local government for the parties. additional road or route maintenance and To go further, as the Opposition asks us to construction costs that it incurs, or will incur, do this evening, and prescribe a measure of during the period of 5 years following the compensation in only one direction—that is, revocation because it has assumed control where a road moves from the State jurisdiction to of the road or route or part of the road or the local jurisdiction—which provides the route. recipient local authority with a factor of '(4) If the chief executive and a local compensation for road maintenance government cannot agree on the amount of construction costs over five years may well in fact compensation within 90 days of the serve to short-change a local authority that has revocation, the amount must be decided by taken on the responsibility of a hitherto the District Court.'." State-controlled road. For example, the This clause is seriously deficient. The negotiations which take place between the State Opposition feels that it is not complete and that it and local government can produce very does not go far enough in that it provides no satisfactory outcomes. This morning in the right of appeal or remedy to a local government House, I mentioned an approach that the that objects to the revocation of a declaration of a Banana Shire Council had made to this road or suffers financial loss as a result of such Government to revoke the declaration over a action. We feel that reasonable compensation is significant number of roads in the Banana Shire. of paramount importance, and it is not provided A sum of money was negotiated between the under this clause. State and the Banana Shire Council. The Banana Shire Council was delighted with the Nothing in the Bill requires the Department outcome of those negotiations. As a result of of Transport to make any financial contribution that revocation, the Banana Shire Council will be towards the increased responsibilities that will able to seal 65 kilometres of road, the sealing of pass to a local government upon the revocation which would not have been high on the agenda of a declaration. We seek a specific requirement had the road in question remained the that the Department of Transport pay fair and responsibility of the State. adequate compensation to an affected local government, an appeal provision against the My point is that, although the Opposition revocation and a quantum of compensation to amendment is proposed in good faith, I believe be inserted in the Bill. We feel that the insertion that it is flawed because it works only one way of such provisions is of paramount importance in and it is too prescriptive. Let me assure the making this clause of the Bill complete. I ask the Opposition, however, that full consultation takes place between the State Government and local Legislative Assembly 7129 22 February 1994 authorities in regard to the road network. guarantee work for the local government on Consultation is guaranteed under this a fixed-price basis that requires the legislation. By virtue of clause 22 (b), if the adoption of efficient work practices." councils are unhappy with a proposition, they How will those doing the lead-up work fit into this have an avenue to appeal to the Minister in plan? By "lead-up work", I mean engineers, relation to the proposition that has been put to draftsmen, etc. The lead-up work can take four or them in any sort of review of the road network. five years, or however long it might be. How will Mr JOHNSON: The Minister feels that those people fit in with this plan to give the there is a flaw in our amendment. However, we power of these State-controlled roadworks feel that clause 22, as it currently stands, is not across into the local authorities area? Is the wide ranging enough. There is not enough Minister combining the lead-up work—by the protection there for the local authority. The draftsmen and the engineers—with something Minister is saying that the local authority is not else? Are they going to shift in responsibility going to be left out. Fair enough, the local away from what they are doing at present? authority has a duty to perform; so, too, has the I am concerned because, in his State Government. The Minister feels that there second-reading speech, the Minister hinted that is adequate protection there. We do not feel there is going to be a reduction in Main Roads there is adequate protection. If the Minister staff. I am trying to decipher where that reduction thinks there is a flaw in that amendment, I would will occur and how much of this will affect the like to hear what he thinks that flaw is. I know he lead-up work to the planning for the road has addressed it, but at the same time we feel construction. that there has to be more protection there for local authorities. Mr HAMILL: I found it a little difficult to either hear or follow the honourable member, Question—That the words proposed to but I will do my best. We are certainly not be inserted be so inserted—put; and the envisaging any reduction in the effort or the work Committee divided— for Department of Transport personnel with AYES, 29—Beanland, Connor, Cooper, Davidson, respect to the delivery of the roads program. Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Goss J. N., Grice, Healy, However, what we will do here—and this gives Hobbs, Johnson, Lester, Littleproud, Mitchell, the power to the chief executive to make Perrett, Randell, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, arrangements for the delivery of that program—is Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson Tellers: Springborg, Laming continue to work with local authorities, particularly with respect to the area of road NOES, 50—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, maintenance. We will also continue to Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, encourage local authorities to obtain better value Casey, Clark, Comben, D’Arcy, Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Gibbs, Goss W. K., out of their plant and equipment. Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, The honourable member might have his McGrady, Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Pearce, Power, attention drawn to clause 25 (5) of the Bill Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, whereby a work force in one local authority Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, might, by agreement, be able to work in another Vaughan, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Pitt, Livingstone area. Indeed, for a change, there may even be a bit of cooperation across local authorities in the Resolved in the negative. delivery of the road program. The work in terms The CHAIRMAN: Order! Any further of the actual drafting, survey work and so divisions will be of two minutes' duration. on—the department will continue to have Clause 22, as read, agreed to. resources to provide for that sort of work to be done in house, and where the capacity does not Clauses 23 and 24, as read, agreed to. exist in house, then we will go outside, as we do Clause 25— now, for that expertise. Indeed, when we had Mr STEPHAN (10.18 p.m.): I am looking the situation when the Commonwealth, through for clarification as much as anything else in the One Nation program, suddenly provided connection with clause 25. This clause refers to substantial additional funding for roads in this construction, maintenance and operation. In his State, we simply did not have the resources in second-reading speech, the Minister stated— house, nor should we be expected to have the resources in house, to bring on all the work "Also, we have been sensitive to the necessary preliminary to those construction jobs communities which rely heavily on taking place. Therefore, we engaged outside Department of Transport roadworks as a expertise to assist the in-house resources. We major factor in the local economy. In those have also had a couple of design and construct situations, the director-general can contracts let whereby the contractors have 22 February 1994 7130 Legislative Assembly provided both the design and the construction that any work that is executed is not done in for the job for the department. I hope that assists such a way as to be detrimental to the property. the honourable member. Obviously, such a power is necessary for the Mr STEPHAN: That assists me fairly well. delivery of the roads program, because there are As to the lead-up work—also entailed in this is circumstances in which a watercourse needs to the testing of soil types, soil samples and so on. I be diverted, if only to a small degree, in order to take it that there will be no change between what effect the necessary infrastructure works. the Minister is envisaging and what exists at Clause 35, as read, agreed to. present. Clauses 36 to 54, as read, agreed to. Mr HAMILL: A very important division of Clause 55— my department is the Transport Technology Division, which contains a number of people who Mr JOHNSON (10.26 p.m.): I move the can only be described as experts in relation to following amendments— pavement technology and various aspects of "At page 42, after line 15— engineering. The department continues to insert— operate soil laboratories. Those facilities are very important not only for the work which the '(2) An agreement mentioned in department undertakes on its own account, but subsection (1) may only be made if the local local authorities make use of the research that government has approved the location and the department generates in assisting them with nature of the facility.'. respect to pavement types and the At page 42, after line 21— appropriateness of various materials—for insert— example, gravels for use in road construction. Those resources will remain. '(4) The amounts paid to the chief executive under subsection (3) (b) must be Clause 25, as read, agreed to. expended on the construction and Clauses 26 to 34, as read, agreed to. maintenance of roads or routes within the Clause 35— area of the local government in whose area the facility is to be supplied under the Mr JOHNSON (10.24 p.m.): Clause 35 (1) agreement.'." relates to watercourses and roadworks. I note that a local government cannot be forced to These amendments relate to roadside undertake works for the Department of Transport facilities. The definition of roadside facilities and other than by agreement. Furthermore, councils encroachments is such that this power can be are specifically empowered to undertake works used to authorise the conduct of a business- for the Department of Transport outside their type activity on such reserves. I believe that such own areas. activities would not be subject to town-planning controls or other regulatory by-laws. As such, This clause relating to watercourses and these activities, approved by the Department of roadworks conflicts with the provisions of section Transport with the prior consent of council, could 47 of the Local Government Act, which give rise to the creation of inappropriate activities empowers local government to undertake that are partly or wholly in conflict with the agricultural drainage of land on the whole or parts provisions of the town plan or other by-laws of its area subject to a right of appeal to the Water operating in the area. Moreover, this power Resources Commissioner. There is no good could usurp a council's planning powers as set reason why the Department of Transport should out in the planning protocol. be able to unilaterally alter watercourses. That could lead to a serious erosion problem within a The Opposition opposes that section shire. This anomaly needs to be addressed, and unless such ancillary works or encroachments I ask the Minister to comment on that. are first consented to by the affected local Mr HAMILL: The power that is provided government and subject to all revenues accruing for the chief executive in the delivery of the from such ancillary works or encroachments roads program is not new. It is vital for the being spent on roadworks within the local delivery of the road program. It is important to government area. Alternatively, this section note subclause (2) of this clause, which requires needs to be extended to the provision of the the chief executive to take into consideration the council's town plan and by-laws to cover actual effect of any diversion of the watercourse. business and other activities conducted on the I trust that, having provided for that clearly in the road reserve. I ask the Minister to comment on legislation, the chief executive—no matter who that. that person may be in the future—will undertake Mr HAMILL: The Government rejects the works under this power very carefully to ensure Opposition's proposed amendment. I have Legislative Assembly 7131 22 February 1994 already made it very clear in my comments in Mr JOHNSON: Opposition members do relation to the earlier amendment moved by the not have a problem with the Minister's response. honourable member that this legislation will I would have thought that if he was a fair-minded require the chief executive, exercising his Minister from a fair-minded Government he powers under the Act, to consult with local would have addressed it that way anyway. That is government with respect to road planning and the point that I make. I would say that we are not the delivery of road infrastructure development. looking at just south-east Queensland; we are It is also clear that it should be the State that has looking right across the broad parameters of this that final determination as to what is appropriately State. located along a State-controlled road. Mr Hamill: Your amendment would tie our The other point that needs to be made is hands as to where funds could be spent. that, of course, the State would not make this Mr JOHNSON: That is the way we determination to the exclusion of the views of intended it to be. I would expect that the Minister the local authority. Indeed, the sorts of would be addressing the whole of the State and discussions to which I refer occur now, and that is why we put that amendment that way. probably 90 per cent of the discussions are most amicable. For example, the location of a service Mr HAMILL: It is not what we intend to do; station or a rest area on a highway is determined it is what we actually try to do. The amendment without any affront whatsoever to a local which is being moved by the honourable authority's sensitivities. member states quite clearly— I am particularly intrigued by the honourable "insert— member's support for a proposition that any '(4) The amounts paid to the chief funds that are derived from any roadside activity executive under subsection 3 (b) must be should be spent in the local government area expended on the construction and where that roadside activity is occurring. I am maintenance of roads or routes within the staggered by that. If one considers, for example, area of the local government in whose area the siting of service stations, and particularly the facility is to be supplied under the roadhouses, the area of the State in which there agreement.' " is probably the greatest demand for roadhouses That would tie the hands of the Chief at frequent intervals is south-east Queensland. Executive. It would tie the hands of the State in The siting of a roadhouse or a service station on delivering the benefits of that important source a motorway or a highway is obviously a very of income to other areas of the State that are less important decision that the State would make fortunate and less able to generate that sort of and may well be a significant source of income or income. In other words, to put it in terms that the rent to the State. The honourable member, by honourable member may understand, in my his proposed amendment, is saying that if there electorate where the rents on a service station is an abundance of roadhouses, for example, on a main road might be quite considerable and and they are located in south-east Queensland, able to support quite a number of such facilities, that we should spend the proceeds from those as Minister I could not use those funds to rents wholly and solely in the local authority areas provide road infrastructure in the electorate of in south-east Queensland. I am shocked by a the honourable member or Gregory. National Party member from western Mr Bredhauer: Is this a temptation, Queensland arguing in favour of that sort of Minister? notion. Mr HAMILL: It would be a wonderful As a Government we have made it very clear temptation, I suspect, to support this that we spend the lion's share of our funds amendment, but knowing the regard that I have available for road development not just in south- for the honourable member for Gregory I could east Queensland but across the length and not be so vindictive as to exclude his breadth of this very large State of ours. I would constituents from the benefits which this have thought that the honourable member measure would provide them. would have joined the Government in its view that, if there are areas in the State which can be Amendments negatived. quite lucrative in income to the Department of Clause 55, as read, agreed to. Transport, those funds should be deployed not Clause 56— simply in the area where the rent is payed but Mr JOHNSON (10.35 p.m.): I move the rather they should be deployed across the following amendment— whole of the network where they can generate the greatest benefits for the people of "At page 43, after line 9— Queensland no matter where they live. 22 February 1994 7132 Legislative Assembly

insert— Clause 59— '(4) A requirement must not direct that Mr JOHNSON (10.38 p.m.): I move the plant be located within a State-controlled following amendment— road if— "At page 45, lines 4 and 5— (a) there is a reasonable alternate omit 'cannot be compelled to replace location for the plant; and or reconstruct the plant', (b) the cost of locating the plant insert 'must replace or reconstruct the within the State-controlled road is plant, as nearly as practicable.'." greater than the cost of locating it at the alternative location.'." I have concern about the double standard apparent in the provision, which does not The Opposition is concerned as to the compulsorily require the Department of extent of the power in this provision which, if Transport to meet the cost of replacing or taken to its full extent, could require councils to reconstructing local government infrastructure construct infrastructure within State roads, which which is interfered with by State roadworks. would cause them to incur additional cost. I am Clause 59 (4) uses the expression "if the plant is saying to the Minister that the Department of replaced or reconstructed". That leaves it to the Transport should be required to have due regard Department of Transport's discretion whether it to the legislation under which the infrastructure does that. On the other hand, if councils wish to is constructed. I would like the Minister to construct infrastructure on a road, they must comment. meet all requirements of the Department of Mr HAMILL: I must admit that the Transport with respect to reinstatement of the amendment moved by the honourable member road. I believe that this amendment, which confuses me greatly. Clause 56 actually does deletes the words, "cannot be compelled to not seek to give the chief executive of the replace or reconstruct the plant in its previous Department of Transport some power to tell location and form" and replaces them with "must Telecom or an electricity authority where they replace or reconstruct the plant as nearly as is should put their infrastructure; it comes from the practicable in its previous location and form" position that those other utilities are already makes a valid point. I ask the Minister to comment there. Should roadworks be necessary on a road on it. where these utilities are already present, the Mr HAMILL: I will follow on from the chief executive may make some direction in comments that I made in reply to the previous relation to the continued location of those proposed amendment. I cite the example of a facilities. It does not make sense, for example, if gas main, which is located in a roadway upon telephone lines are down in an area which is which roadworks have to be carried out. It is going to be in the middle of a road, that they necessary to interfere with the gas main for the should remain there so that every time work was conduct of those roadworks. The Opposition is to be undertaken on the telephone lines the saying that once we finish the roadworks, we road would have to be dug up. That does not make sure that the gas main is back in the middle make sense at all. Nor does the Opposition's of the roadway, so it is in place for the next amendment make sense. It seeks some occasion when roadworks are required to be requirement not to direct plant to be located carried out. The public authority is put to the within a road if there is a reasonable term of undue expense of replacing that infrastructure in location. We are not here trying to override the its previous location and form. Surely, the legitimate power of a gas authority or an provisions that are contained in clause 59 (3) and electricity authority. They have powers 59 (4) are the sensible way to proceed, and that themselves under their respective legislation to is, if there has to be some removal or locate the utility. All we say here is that, if there replacement of that public utility for the are works to take place where a utility is present, roadworks, the chief executive should not be the Chief Executive of the Department of compelled to put it back to where it was. Transport ought to be able to provide for the Obviously, it was not in a position where it was future. Indeed this provision that we see before convenient for the work to be carried out. us in clause 56 is the same as the existing Furthermore, protection is given in 59 (4) for provision under the Transport Infrastructure proper compensation to be provided. The onus Roads Act. is on the Chief Executive of the Department of Amendment negatived. Transport to bear the expense of the Clause 56, as read, agreed to. replacement of any utilities that may have been moved. Of course, clause 59 (4) (b) contains Clauses 57 and 58, as read, agreed to. Legislative Assembly 7133 22 February 1994 factors that can be taken into consideration in Bill, on motion of Mr Hamill, by leave, read a terms of the replacement of that infrastructure. third time. I do not think that any fair person would consider that those matters are unreasonable. STARCKE PASTORAL HOLDINGS However, to require utilities that are located in ACQUISITION BILL perhaps inconvenient places for current or present-day requirements, as they relate to the Second Reading road infrastructure, to be returned to that same Debate resumed from 16 September 1993 location after work has been carried out defies (see p. 4445). common sense. Mr HOBBS (Warrego) (10.51 p.m.): Mr JOHNSON: In response to the Madam Deputy Speaker—— Minister, the Opposition did not say "put them Mr Veivers interjected. back in their same location". We are saying that the department must replace or reconstruct the Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms plant as nearly as is practicable in the previous Power): Order! The member for Southport! location and form. That amendment does not say Mr HOBBS: I thank the member for "in the same location". I take on board what the Southport for his support. It is unfortunate that Minister has said about clause 59 (4) (b). this Bill is before the House today, because it is However, I make the point that I believe we are an example of the misuse of Parliament. It is an about protecting the business of the local irresponsible and political manoeuvre that was authority as well as the workings of the made on the run. I want to make it quite clear Department of Transport. from the start that I am not defending George Mr Hamill: Not just a local authority. Quaid or any people who are associated with this Bill. I am here to defend a Queenslander, Mr JOHNSON: Whoever—the public whoever he or she may be, whatever name he or utility—but there is nothing in that amendment she may have, against a Government of the day, that says "to replace or reconstruct in the wherever it is, which wishes to forcibly acquire previous location". The word "nearly" does not that person's land. I will go through the details of mean that. this Bill and point out some of the matters, which Mr HAMILL: In response, all I can say is the Opposition believes are unfair and which are that "nearly" is not good enough. being perpetrated by this Government. Question—That the words proposed to First, let us look at the history of this case. be omitted stand part of the clause—put; and The land was purchased in 1971 in eight the Committee divided— separate parcels for $1.1m. This land on the AYES, 50—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, cape is sparse, stringy-bark country; heath land Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, and swampland—mostly poor country that Casey, Clark, Comben, D’Arcy, Davies, De Lacy, requires cattle supplements to enable stock to Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Gibbs, Goss W. K., survive. In other words, it is very poor quality Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, country. An application for freehold was made McGrady, Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Pearce, Power, from 1975 to 1977. I point out to honourable Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, members that valuations are done at the time of Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, the application for freehold. The time that the Vaughan, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Pitt, Livingstone application is first made is the time at which the evaluation is deemed to commence. NOES, 30—Beanland, Connor, Cooper, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Goss J. N., Grice, Healy, The freehold application was for 24 000 Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Littleproud, Mitchell, hectares. That was agreed to by the Lands Perrett, Randell, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Department, provided that certain conditions Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson were met—that is, that approximately $600,000 Tellers: Springborg, Laming was to be spent on roads, yards, dips and so on Resolved in the affirmative. on this land. Something like $841,000 was Clause 59, as read, agreed to. spent. In 1983, freehold title was approved by the Lands Department, and a sum of $30,000 Clauses 60 to 90 as read, agreed to. was paid. There was survey trouble. I understand Schedules 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. there were some complications with the Cook Bill reported, without amendment. Shire Council that delayed the title being registered until 1989. Because of this delay and some technical problems, the lease was Third Reading rescinded and reissued. This matter was investigated, and everything was found to be 22 February 1994 7134 Legislative Assembly aboveboard. There were no problems. I believe If Aboriginals want it, let them buy it. Why do we that the Government's inquiry, carried out by a have to have the State Government buying it QC, also proved that there were no problems in and handing it over? Why can it not buy it for this regard. somebody else and hand it over? Plenty of The total area of the Starcke holdings is in people around here would like some land. the vicinity of 200 662 hectares of leasehold Perhaps they could put up their hand and say, land and 24 464 hectares of freehold. "Buy it for me, Minister." Mr Bredhauer: How much was the Mr Bredhauer: Will we sell it to them for freehold? $30,000? Mr HOBBS: The freehold cost $30,000. Mr HOBBS: Obviously, the member is not That figure was negotiated at the very very bright. He has $30,000 on the brain. I think beginning—that is, from 1975 to 1977. There that 30 shillings would be too much for him to were also conditions, which I mentioned. They contemplate. That is still not right. He does not included improvements to the value of understand how freeholding operates. He does $600,000. That is damned expensive land for not know what is involved. Members opposite that part of the country. are just amateurs, dreaming that someone is making some money. My God, somebody might One point that people have also forgotten, make a dollar out of this. How shocking! and of which they should be reminded, is that at that time 57 490 hectares was given over for The Minister stated further— national parks by the purchaser. Some "The Government is committed to significant points were raised in the Minister's acquiring the relevant coastal section of the second-reading speech. He mentioned the property." "significant environmental values associated with What about the rest? If the Government is this land". What rubbish! What absolute rot! Only committed to the coastal section of the property a small section of that country is worth a tinker's for national park purposes, that is fine. I do not cuss. He continued— mind some sections of land being put aside for "The Bill also provides for payment of national park purposes. That is great. But why do reasonable compensation for the members opposite want to spend the additional acquisition in accordance with the rights money? Obviously, we must have ample funding presently provided in the Land Act and the for hospitals, schools, the DPI, the Lands Acquisition of Land Act." Department, and perhaps the Titles Office. The The Acquisition of Land Act is available to be computer at the Titles Office cost $10m. used. Why does the Minister need a special How many millions of dollars will the Starcke Pastoral Holdings Acquisition Bill? Why Government spend on Starcke, when it wants can he not use the existing legislation? Why only a handful of land on the coast? Let us not place this hassle upon a landowner in forget that this Queenslander has already given Queensland? Perhaps it might be that, when the Government 57 0000 hectares of land for that particular land-holder gets to the Land national park purposes. But the Government Court, the Government will want to hold some wants to take some more land. Obviously, it has more of the cards—not just all of the aces, but plenty of money. The schools are all right, the the jacks, the kings, the queens and the rest. hospitals are all right, the DPI is all right, and the The Minister continued— Lands Department is all right. And it is spending a few more million dollars to buy some land that it "This action is consistent with the does not want! It is amazing. The Government Government's policy objective based on the has no financial credibility. recommendation of the Wolfe report . . ." The Minister stated further— There are a lot of things in the Wolfe report about which many average Queenslanders would not "The Bill will lie on the table of the be very happy. That has been pointed out to the House while negotiations proceed with the Minister on several occasions. The Minister also owner of the titles." stated— This Bill is before the House today. The "The land also encompasses the negotiations are still going on. At this stage, the traditional clan estates of two separate matter has not been sent to the Land Court. Aboriginal language groups. These clans Why? Why are we in a rush to put this legislation are said to number almost 200 people and through the House?As I mentioned earlier, some elders are reported as remembering perhaps the Government wants to hold all the traditional life on land currently within the aces. The Land Court is designed to be a low- holdings." cost court in which any Queenslander can Legislative Assembly 7135 22 February 1994 negotiate problems relating to the price of land "It is true that, in reviewing the records or the conditions attached to the sale of land. of the Starcke matters, on the legal advice This Government is usurping the role of the that came to me, there was nothing that Land Court. It wants to be judge and jury. In this would have indicated any improper action case, the Government holds the aces, the kings, by the particular owner." the queens and the jacks. It wants to hold this It has been determined that the owner did matter over a Queenslander's head. I believe nothing wrong. We find that the Government that that is an absolute disgrace. had not allocated any money to purchase this In his second-reading speech, the Minister land. In addition, we find that the Government stated— does not need this land after all. Why has this "We will also negotiate with the Federal legislation been introduced? What is the real Government to clarify its willingness to reason for the Government taking a provide financial support for the acquisition Queenslander—whoever he may be—to the following the offer by the Environment cleaners? Next time, it might be an honourable Minister, Mrs Kelly." member; it might be me; it could be anybody. The actions of this Government are not What offer did Mrs Kelly make? Perhaps the reasonable. Government could apply for some sports grants Mr Ardill: Nobody is going to give you the in the area. It might obtain some assistance in sort of benefit that Quaid got with this land. that regard. Mrs Kelly did not come forward with the money. It was claimed that the Federal Mr HOBBS: What benefit did he receive? Government was to provide half the funding. Mrs Mr Ardill: He paid $1.28 per hectare for Kelly did not provide that amount. In fact, we do prime land that he wants to flog off. not know what she has provided. The money Mr HOBBS: I take that interjection. The has to come from somewhere. Perhaps it will member for Archerfield claims that Mr Quaid paid come from the pockets of Queensland $1.28 a hectare for this land. Did the member taxpayers. take into account the improvements that were The Minister's second-reading speech part of the freehold deal? Mr Quaid could not stated further— freehold the land until he had spent a certain amount of money. Does the member "We also believe we can reach understand that? agreement with the descendants of the traditional occupiers of the land about the Mr Ardill: How much? future management of the land." Mr HOBBS: Between $600,000 and I ask: is the issue the future management of the $840,000. land or the ownership of the land? Mr Bredhauer interjected. This announcement was made just after the Mr HOBBS: I take the interjection from the Budget was delivered. If I recall correctly, the member for Cook. This Government tried as hard estimate allowed for park acquisition was in the as it could to find some fraudulent activity, as did vicinity of $4.5m. That money had been the Wilderness Society. The Government earmarked for the purchase of environmentally appointed a Queen's Counsel, who determined significant land that would be added to the that no illegal activity had occurred. In the answer National Park Estate. In fact, the Starcke land was that he gave to this Parliament, the Minister not even on that list. The Minister for confirmed that determination. Environment and Heritage, Ms Robson, stated The member for Archerfield claimed that this that the Government had not budgeted for the was prime land. Has the member seen prime purchase of the Starcke holding and that, at that land? He would not know prime land if he fell point, the $4.5m budgeted for this year would over it! not include that acquisition. It is clear that the Mr Pearce: You wouldn't know decent Department of Environment and Heritage did not principles, either. even consider that the Starcke pastoral holding was worth buying. In fact, the department had Mr HOBBS: Let us talk about principles. I not identified the holding in its 1993-94 budget mentioned earlier that this Government is taking as adding to the biodiversity of the National Park a Queenslander to the cleaners, and for what Estate. reason? The same could happen to me; it could happen to anybody. I am not talking about In response to a question in this Parliament, defending George Quaid. The Government the Minister for Lands, Mr Smith, stated— could do the same to anybody. 22 February 1994 7136 Legislative Assembly

This Bill is a disappointment to the majority Can members guess the purchase date of of land-holders in this State who believe that this piece of paradise? It was 1989. The member they should have security of tenure. However, for Warrego is an '89er, too. Will he inform this they do not have security of tenure in any way, Parliament of how cheaply he purchased his bit shape or form. This is the type of Bill that proves of dirt in 1989? A lot of people received some quite clearly that security of tenure is far from a cheap dirt in 1989. The Nationals knew that they reality in Queensland. would come unstuck in the 1989 State election, Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (11.05 p.m.): I so they sped up the process of handing out rise to support the Starcke Pastoral Holdings Queensland taxpayers' assets and capital to their Acquisition Bill. At the outset, let it be mates—in some cases to themselves—at a understood by honourable members that this is frantic rate. It is amazing how many properties a one-off issue that reflects the particular were freeholded at bargain rates in 1989. I could circumstances of the history of the Starcke name a heap of them. property and the need to protect that I would like to be fair to George Quaid and magnificent and environmentally important allow for the improvements that he carried out on parcel of coastal land from overseas sale or the lease before freeholding was granted. As inappropriate use or abuse by get-rich-quick the member for Warrego mentioned, George merchants such as George Quaid and the likes had to get his mates to change the titling before of him. Those types of people have little respect he could apply for freeholding. This would have for anything other than the mighty dollar. Most incurred some considerable negotiations, most members would be aware of the manner in which probably a few hefty donations to the Joh Quaid vandalised land in north Queensland in Bjelke-Petersen fund, and there would have recent times by pushing timber into the Mitchell been other incidental expenses as well as a drop River and other inappropriate land-clearing of diesel for the dozer along with some wire and practices. posts, if he used any. Let us allow $1m all up. Let The land in question is situated on the east us be generous. I think I have been fair and more coast of Cape York Peninsula. It covers in total than generous in estimating Mr Quaid's costs 224 647 hectares and includes 24 464 hectares and expenses. of freehold, which is what we are talking about What does Mr Quaid do next? He places an tonight. It also includes 23 183 hectares of advertisement in the United States media occupational licences and 177 000 hectares of advertising this marvellous piece of paradise in pastoral lease. The Starcke pastoral holding was tropical north Queensland containing purchased in 1972 for $919,711 from the rainforests, lagoons, beach frontages, sand Starcke River Cattle Company. That purchase dunes, and a tremendous diversity of flora and included 2.8 kilometres of absolute beach fauna. He said that it was very cheap indeed—a frontage with no buffer. The part of the holdings mere $18m! that was freeholded from leasehold in 1989 at a Mr Bredhauer: $US18m. price of $30,802 contained 24 464 hectares. This equals $1.26 per hectare, or 61 160 acres Mr DOLLIN: Yes, $A25m. That is not a for $30,802—a paltry 50c an acre in the old bad little mark-up. Mr Quaid is asking $A25m for measurement. land that he bought for $30,802. That is an 844 per cent increase—at the expense of the I am sure that honourable members would Queensland taxpayers—in little more than four agree readily that this was a bargain indeed. It years. That would not bad, if he could get away would be the bargain of five lifetimes! No doubt with it. If one was a friend of the Nationals prior to Mr Quaid spent some money bulldozing some 1989, one could get away with that sort of thing. trees and perhaps building some fences. In fact, The important point is that, thanks to this doubt surrounds whether he undertook such Government's action and this legislation, Mr activity or not. By now, Mr Quaid owned freehold Quaid will not get away with it. The action taken in a nice parcel of country with a beach frontage this legislation is consistent with the which contained outstanding natural areas recommendations of the Wolfe report of 1990. encompassing a host of new plant species, That report recommended that, before allowing rainforest scrubs and sand dunes—the whole freeholding, consideration should be given to blinking lot! He purchased 24 464 hectares of whether any part of a holding would be better such valuable property for the grandmother of all served by the community and the environment if bargains, $30,802—the price of a quarter-acre it were retained for its conservation and allotment in Maryborough. The member for environmental value. In other words, land should Warrego tried to tell this Parliament that that be used for its highest purpose, for the benefit purchase was not fraudulent! of all Queenslanders, not for the sole benefit of a person or a company. Because of the mix of Legislative Assembly 7137 22 February 1994 freehold title, lease and occupational licences, it Government members and all those doubters is more practical for the Government to purchase out there, the Minister appointed a QC to inquire the whole of the holding. That answers the into the matter. What did he come up with? query that the honourable member for Warrego Nothing! raised earlier. This also means that the Mr Ardill: How can you justify it? Government can protect the conservation values with certainty. Mr SLACK: I take the interjection from the member for Archerfield. I am very disappointed in This Government is proud of its him. He has not done his homework. I have environmental record, and it believes that the some respect for his point of view on most purchase of this land will add significantly to our issues, but this is not one of them. He knows national park estate. The Government's nothing about this matter. preferred position is to acquire all of the Starcke holding and use this special legislation to effect In 1993, there was opposition all over that transaction. This Bill will lie on the table of Australia to the proposed sale of the Starcke the House while negotiations proceed with the holding overseas. owner of the titles. The preferred position is to Mr Dollin: $US18m. settle this matter by negotiation, and officers of Mr SLACK: And the talk of the Lands Department will seek to reach $US18m—$A26m. There is no dispute about agreement with Mr Quaid. If agreement cannot that. Honourable members would know that all be reached, the issue of compensation will be around Australia people protested about Quaid settled under the provisions of existing selling off this land. There were marches down in legislation. Melbourne, and girls from a Sydney school were I believe that the Minister has been fair and proposing to sell cakes to raise funds to prevent even-handed in this matter and has given Mr the Starcke holding from being sold overseas. Quaid a fair opportunity to reach an honest The Wilderness Society was jumping up and settlement. I support the Bill. down. Politically, the Greens were jumping up Mr SLACK (Burnett) (11.13 p.m.): I can and down. They were not too impressed with only describe the speaker who preceded me as many of the decisions made by this Government. comic, if nothing else, because nothing that he What happened? One Monday, out of the said was based on fact. blue, Cabinet announced that the Government Mr Dollin interjected. was going to compulsorily acquire the Starcke holding. Cabinet said that this sort of thing had Mr SLACK: If anybody in their right mind never been done before, but the shadow believed the garbage that the honourable Minister has pointed out that the Government member just peddled in this Parliament, heaven has done it before. This Government is going to help them. I would hate to think that this State is compulsorily acquire the Starcke holding. It is left in the hands of people who think like the going to let legislation lie on the table so that we honourable member in respect to actions that can all have a look at it and then it will enter into were taken in the past regarding this particular negotiations with Mr Quaid in order to buy the deal. holding. In the meantime, Mr Quaid cannot sell The name "Starcke" has a certain ring to it. It the land or propose to sell it to anyone else. certainly captures the imagination, and it has While these negotiations take place, there will be captured the imagination of many people a freeze on any sale of the land. throughout Australia. The person who owns the When the decision was made to purchase block of land in question is being portrayed as a the land, no-one said how the Government was robber baron, etc., by many people who do not going to pay for it. The Minister for Environment agree with what he has done. That is what the and Heritage said that it was not coming out of Government has done—— her budget. The proposal was that the Government members interjected. Commonwealth Government would pay half of Mr SLACK: But nothing that Government the purchase price of the land. Where is that half members have said in this Chamber proves that that is to be paid by the Commonwealth Mr Quaid has ever done anything illegal. I defy Government? We are now debating this Bill, and any member of this Parliament to say that he has. nothing has been said by the Minister or any other member of the Government about how it The Minister for Lands ordered an in-depth will pay for the land. No-one has said where the inquiry. A QC was engaged to have a good look funds will come from and how much money will at this case, despite the fact that he was be involved. Will the money come from the previously on record as saying that he could find national park estate? What proportion will come nothing wrong with the deal. To pander to from the Commonwealth Government? Will some 22 February 1994 7138 Legislative Assembly of the money come from the Aboriginal and remote part of Cape York Peninsula. The area Islander Affairs Department? The Opposition has has gone off the boil since the eighties, when every right to ask these questions because we there was talk about spaceports and tourism are dealing with public money. As the record development. Resorts along the coast are for shows, the National Party Government was sale. We are still in a recession. As to the money responsible in dealing with public money. that may have been available from overseas in The Government has introduced the eighties—there is no way in the world that it legislation—the big stick—before it has even is available now. That puts the land back into the finished its negotiations. The Government has category of cattle country. Even if that money talked to Quaid. As I understand it, unofficially, as were available and a business person was yet no agreement has been reached. However, I involved in the possible purchase of the Starcke also understand that the option to go to the property, there is no way in the world that Land Court has been agreed to. That is a fair anybody would say, "We are not going to pay process. The Opposition is not arguing with that. you $US18m—$A26m— for that property But why the necessity for this legislation now if unless we are certain that we can do certain that option has not been taken? Why not go to things with it that will give us a return on our the Land Court? Quaid has indicated that he is money." willing to go to the Land Court. The Government There is no way in the world to do that with has indicated that that is a fair way of settling the cattle land. It is a joke to even suggest the matter. remotest possibility of that. So there would have Members of the Opposition are not arguing to be a change of usage for that land. In order to one iota in respect to the price paid for the land, obtain a change of usage for land, it is necessary provided that it is fair and just. I do not think that to obtain various approvals, such as local the Minister is arguing that either. I think it is fair authority approvals and State Government that a reasonable price be paid. Opposition department approvals. It must go through a members are not here to defend Mr Quaid. I do process. Anybody who is going to sign such a not know Mr Quaid; I have never spoken to him. I contract would sign it only if it were subject to have no idea what the man looks like, what he particular approvals. Therein the Government has done in the past or anything else about him. would have control over what happened to that The Opposition wants to protect everybody's land and the sale of that land, if it was ever to be rights regarding the acquisition of private land. It sold. has no argument with the acquisition of land for Let us examine the value of that land as public purposes if it is deemed that the cattle country, because that is all that we can Government can justify that acquisition. base it on. Any other land that is cattle land is However, the Opposition does have an also able to be put up for alternative argument when the Government does not fulfil development. It then has to go through the those conditions and explain properly how the same process of approvals. Let us look at the land acquisition will be carried out. Opposition prices that are paid for cattle land and similar members want to ensure that it is done properly. types of land, or better land, in that area. During The Government has an obligation to the another speech, I referred to another block of people of Queensland to explain those things. land in that area which, incidentally, has more In this case, the Government has not done that. environmental value than the Starcke property. I That is why Opposition members have quite a do not believe that this is denied by the few reservations about the legislation that is Department of Environment and Heritage, which before the House. To start with, it is premature, was not interested in buying the Starcke because the negotiations are still continuing. property. However, it had a look at that other The Government has not exhausted every piece of land and was interested in buying it. The avenue in respect to dealing with the situation. department had already done the assessment. The Opposition does not support the sale of the Part of the 57 000 acres came out of Starcke. In land overseas, and it never has. However, the early 1970s, those people went over that Opposition members never believed that it could land with a fine toothcomb and took out what be achieved and, as someone said earlier, they wanted. There is still a part that is of anybody on the Government side who believes environmental value. The property to which I that it can be achieved has sawdust for brains. refer is at Inkerman. I have a brochure about it. I Government members should get their brains invite members to look at the beachfront. There into gear and examine the scenario. are miles of beachfront and marine plains—2 671 square kilometres. Quaid advertised the land for $US18m, or $A26m. That land is cattle country. Some 24 000 Mr Bredhauer: Where does that hectares of it are freeholded. It is located in a brochure come from? Legislative Assembly 7139 22 February 1994

Mr SLACK: It is legitimate. that even the Wilderness Society did not Mr Bredhauer: Is that a real estate agent's suggest that the land be used for national park. It brochure? suggested that it be acquired for Aboriginal people. That is their right. If they want to Mr SLACK: No. I know a little bit more negotiate, that is fine. about this than does the honourable member for Cook. He may have been a schoolteacher, but I The society's description of the land have some experience in this. stated— Mr Bredhauer interjected. "Little is known of the natural values of the land itself. Very little scientific research Mr SLACK: I ask the honourable member has been done on its flora or fauna. to hear me through, or does he just want to However, the 120 km of coastline between interject for the sake of interjecting simply to Cape Flattery and Cape Melville has been score cheap political points? described as one of the most varied on That land was sold overseas to a person in Cape York, including three large mangrove Boston for $5m. There was not a murmur from areas, fringing coral reefs, Melaleuca forest, members on the other side of the Chamber Freshwater wetlands, tidal flood plains, sand about that. The sale went ahead. There were dunes and headlands." 13 000 head of cattle advertised in the brochure. That is nothing spectacular. I have asked The honourable member is correct; it is a real adjoining neighbours and others about that land, estate agent's brochure. That is the only part of and every person told me the same thing: that the whole thing about which the honourable the land is of little value for grazing, although its member is right. When members start to argue coastal areas may have some conservation about the $30,000 and the value of Starcke, value. Government members keep peddling they should be realistic and consider the value of how improper this has all been. The sum of remote land in that area. That property, including $30,000 was paid for the right to freehold that those cattle, sold for $5m. That is undisputed. land. The bleeding hearts opposite will not Members can ring up the agents tomorrow. I acknowledge that there was a surrender of those have confirmed that. 57 000 hectares. But that was part of the deal. It I ask members to consider the is normal to do a deal. Members opposite will not improvements on that property and take the acknowledge that there was an agreement to value of the cattle off it. There were something undertake those improvements. The Lands like 11 000 cattle, which would be valued Minister and the Government's Queen's conservatively on the current market at about Counsel could not dispute that, yet members $250 per head on market value. That amounts to opposite bleat about how improper it is. $2.5m, which leaves $2.5m for the property. As to the suggestion that there was any Members should then start to take off the value payment from Quaid—I would think that Quaid is of the improvements, including the yards. I ask a very tight and shrewd businessman. In this members to value the 10 flowing bores at the particular case, he caught a fish. I will be cost of putting them in. They would probably interested to see what the Minister has to say cost over $200,000 each. That amounts to about the funding arrangements. The people of another $2m before we start to consider Queensland have a right to know what the anything else. By taking away the money that Minister is proposing and how he is proposing to has been spent on it, without any trouble at all I fund it. Members have a right to know that, and could get that property back to less than zero. they should have been told about that before That is the reality of the value of cattle land in that they debated this Bill in this House. It was all right area unless there is approval to do something for the Minister to make a second-reading else with it. And then one must make money on speech three or four months ago on the basis it. If any Government member can suggest to me that he was using a big stick. He could not tell how one could make money on something that members then how it would be funded. All sorts would cost $26m, I would love to hear about it. of sums were mentioned. The Government One is not going to make it legally. There is no made some airy-fairy statement about the way in the world one could make that legally, and Commonwealth paying half, but then it denied it. that would not be part of the conditions under Where are we today? No-one is any closer to the which it was sold. truth about that. At the end of the day, this is a cheap political All members would respect that the stunt on the part of the Government. At least I Government has entered into negotiations with a give the Minister for Lands credit for being person, that prices must be negotiated and that honest about it. He said that the land did not it must keep those negotiations secret, because have a lot of value. It is very interesting to note we cannot have public disclosure of business 22 February 1994 7140 Legislative Assembly negotiations. But at the end of the day, the The member for Burnett should know a Government had an obligation to tell members political stunt when he sees one. He has been how it would be funded. Why did it not do that? living a political stunt for the past six months by As I have said, we in the Opposition make no participating in the charade of organising an pretence about the fact that we did not want to indecent marriage with the Greens. Then he see that property sold overseas. Because of the disparages what the Wilderness Society and the asking price of that property, the Opposition did conservation movement have stood for in trying not believe that there was the remotest to preserve the environmental integrity of one of possibility of it being sold overseas. Australia's last great wilderness areas in Cape Mr Hobbs: What sort of signal does this York Peninsula. He has the audacity to accuse send to other business people who might want Government members of not doing their to invest in Queensland? homework, yet he says that the Starcke Pastoral Holdings is land of insignificant environmental Mr SLACK: This is the other problem. value. He cannot find anyone who can tell him When the Government embarks on this type of that there are any environmental values in activity without being able to honestly and Starcke. If he had done his homework, he would logically justify it—when it is taken out of the have discovered ample evidence of great arena of emotion—naturally it sends a shiver environmental value in the Starcke Pastoral through the private land-holders of the State. Holdings that is worthy of preserving. For his The Opposition is not supporting Quaid or edification, I will explain to him exactly what those saying that he is good or bad. Nobody has been environmental values are and why this able to say that he has done anything illegal. We Government has taken the morally correct are not worried about that. However, we are position of acquiring the land, which the worried about the other aspects of the Opposition would have given away. It would legislation. We believe that at the end of this have seen it sold off to some foreign interests for debate the Minister needs to explain very development as a game park, or a similar precisely what the situation now is and why the venture, as it was advertised overseas. legislation is needed now—that should have been explained before the debate—and what On Monday, 6 September 1993, State are the reports from the Department of Cabinet decided that it should acquire a Environment and Heritage as far the substantial part of the Starcke Pastoral Holdings environmental value of this area is concerned? on Cape York Peninsula. This began the latest All areas have environmental value. It might be chapter in an almost constant round of dealings the biggest lot of rubbish as far as grazing cattle in relation to this land reaching as far back as is concerned, but that does not preclude it from 1971. I had the opportunity to have a having environmental value. I do not dispute that conversation in Parliament House earlier this Starcke has environmental value, but when it is evening with my good friend and predecessor as compared with other areas of Queensland and the member for Cook, Bob Scott. He can there are only so many dollars to spend, it then remember over many years—he was the becomes a judgment about whether that is the member for Cook for 12 years—constantly trying best place on which to spend it. My analysis of to work his way through the Byzantine maze the feedback that has come to me indicates that which the National Party had created in relation there are other places in Queensland that would to dealing with Starcke. He said to me, "Steve, be more valuable as far as the national park it's a very complex issue." It is a very complex estate is concerned in respect of the spending issue, and it is not as simple as some Opposition of the environmental dollar. That is the reality, members would have us believe. and I defy the Minister to deny it. Starcke Pastoral Holdings on the eastern Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (11.31 p.m.): coast of Cape York Peninsula comprises a total What humbug from the member for Burnett! How area of 200 047 hectares. My figures differ hypocritical for him to rise in this House and slightly from my backbench colleague the accuse members of engaging in political stunts! member for Maryborough, because I understand Over the past three or four months, this man has that the figures he has were compiled prior to been engaging in character assassination certain esplanade areas being taken out. The against an honest and decent public servant, the area includes 24 464 hectares of freehold land, Director-General of the Department of 166 000 hectares of pastoral holding, and the Environment and Heritage—a matter which he balance being held in three occupational himself admits was just political point scoring. He licences of 9 583 hectares. admitted that to an officer of the Department of The initial Starcke Pastoral Development Environment and Heritage, yet he accuses the Holdings was transferred to George Quaid Government of engaging in political stunts. Holding Pty Ltd in 1972—a matter which the Legislative Assembly 7141 22 February 1994 member for Warrego admitted. It was in that has $600,000 worth of improvements on it. consideration of the sum of a little over The National Party Government gives him a $900,000, not the $1.1m that he indicated. lease, then it says that that can be counted However, the indicative costs involved in that towards the $600,000 cost of improvements. $900,000-odd were: $1,000 for the lease, The lease was issued for five years. Late in $293,600-odd for the stock and over $600,000 1984, a departmental report on the performance for the improvements. of the conditions attached to the lease was The member for Burnett held up a real submitted. It stated that it was apparent that little estate pamphlet for the edification of members work had been carried out on the improvements of this House. He started with the purchase price since the lease commenced. Another issue of $5m, then began to deduct the value of the related to discussions between the Cook Shire stock, the value of the improvements and he and George Quaid on road adjustment said that, ultimately, he could get the value of the proposals. These were not resolved until late land down to zero. I am sure that if the member 1988. Following various discussions at Cabinet wanted to muck around with the statistics and level and numerous advices from the Solicitor- the prices, he would get the value of anything General, an approach was made to the lessee in down to zero. However, the fact of the matter is September 1989 advising him that $30,802 that he cannot count the cost of the would be considered as freeholding payment. A improvements on the one hand and then deed of grant was entered into the register book discount them on the other. On the one hand, on 29 September 1989. he tries to say that they should be counted to I put these matters on the public record for a indicate how much George Quaid expended on number of reasons, the first of which is to the property as an indication of the vast amount publicly dispel any suggestion that the Goss of money he has paid for it, then, on the other Government was involved in the negotiations or hand, he tries to discount it off the cost and says the actual freeholding of land in relation to that George Quaid has no chance of selling the Starcke Pastoral Holdings, which is one of the land, because that is not its true value. mischievous accusations that was peddled late Between 1975 and late 1977, discussions last year. In fact, the lease was freeholded in were held between the lessees, the then September 1989—just months prior to the Minister for Lands, and the Chair of the Land election of the first Goss Government in Administration Commission, and agreement was December of that year. The freeholding figure of reached which, in broad terms, saw the $30,802 represented a purchase price of $1.25 surrender of certain portions of land for national per hectare. Although it is claimed that more than park purposes in return for which the lessee $800,000 was spent on improvements to the companies would be allowed to freehold up to property, this matter is still subject to conjecture. 24 300 hectares of Starcke. So that is the land to Mr Hobbs: Freehold? which the member refers that had to be relinquished. However, not all of that land was Mr BREDHAUER: As I said before, the pastoral holdings. A significant slab of that land, National Party Government told Quaid that he which was relinquished, was occupational could count the $600,000 worth of previous licence. The other part of the freeholding deal improvements towards the improvements laid was the whole of the balance of Southedge down in this five-year lease. In 1985, the lease pastoral holding, an area comprising 16 500 that was issued in 1979 was due to expire. In hectares. The member for Maryborough alluded 1984, when the Lands Department inspected to that matter when he referred to Mr Quaid the land, it found that there was no evidence of clearing that land some time ago. further improvements undertaken on that land. In 1979, a special lease was issued and, as Prior to the State Government's is customary, conditions applied. Among those announcement last year of its intention to conditions was the requirement that the lessee acquire at least some of Starcke Pastoral expend not less than $600,000 on the provision Holdings, the land had been advertised for sale of buildings, yards, dips, fencing, water facilities, in the Wall Street Journal for US$18m. This clearing of timber and the establishment of Government also had a QC conduct an improved pasture. At the time, it was agreed by independent inquiry into the validity of the the Minister that the expenditure undertaken on freehold tenure and leases, the owner's improvements prior to the granting of the lease compliance with lease conditions and various would be accepted as satisfactory compliance other matters. Although no impropriety could be with this condition, although this matter determined conclusively in relation to land subsequently caused some difficulty in relation dealings at Starcke, Mr Quaid is no stranger to to its legality. So Mr Quaid acquired a property controversy as, in the past, he has shown 22 February 1994 7142 Legislative Assembly repeatedly scant regard for genuine land and would like to generally acknowledge the field environment management practices. work undertaken by Peter Stanton and Dave Fell The fact that members and Ministers of from the Far Northern Regional Office of the previous National Party Governments colluded Department of Environment and Heritage, and with Mr Quaid in relation to land dealings in particularly a report prepared by Peter Stanton in Starcke, Khota Bharu Holdings Pty Ltd, September 1993, which is the source of much of Southedge, Turtle Cove, the Daintree and many the following information. If the members for other places will be judged appropriately by Burnett or Warrego had done their homework, political historians. The report by James Douglas, they would have realised how environmentally QC, stated in part— significant this land is. "The history of the matter illustrates the The Starcke aggregation has a landscape, importance of documenting such geological and ecosystem diversity that is arrangements at the time and not equalled or excelled on Cape York Peninsula by conducting them on a handshake to be only one other area, and that is the Iron Range recorded formally much later." National Park, adjacent unoccupied lands and other Crown reserves. We all know what a What sort of a way is that to run the State? significant national park the Iron Range National Opposition members made deals on a Park is for scientific and environmental handshake, then hoped to be able to pull purposes. If, as mentioned earlier, one together the paperwork 10 years later. combines the Starcke aggregation with the Opposition members wonder why people are existing adjacent national parks as a unit, then not just suspicious but downright convinced that the area is unquestionably the most diverse on the Opposition was managing land parcels in this the peninsula in terms of those features. It State improperly. That the previous National includes a stretch of coastline in excess of 140 Party Government presided over and promoted kilometres. In this Chamber, the member for land policies that created uncertainty and Burnett held up a photograph of the area. I do resulted in speculative land dealings and land not know whether or not a real estate agent took banking of this nature will be long remembered that photograph, but he should look at the 140 by the people of Queensland because it was not kilometres of coastline that forms the boundary only environmentally unsound but also to the of the Starcke aggregations and the national detriment of rural industries, particularly grazing, parks. With the exception of a large river delta, which it claimed as its heartland. that 140 kilometres of coastline contains I say to Opposition members that, when examples of all the major coastal land forms to be they talk to people who own the neighbouring found on Cape York Peninsula. It also has very properties around Starcke, they will find out that high recreation potential. they are not very happy with Mr Quaid. They The rainforests of the area appear to be part have witnessed the incidence of feral cattle and of a biogeographically distinct province, with its other feral animals that have not been managed own unique suite of species, a number of which or controlled. They have seen the infestation of are endemic to the area and many of which are weeds that have emanated from Starcke new to science. Those rainforests consist of because it has not been properly managed or hundreds of separate occurrences, mostly less controlled. If Opposition members think that they than 50 hectares in size, occurring on a range of can defend the land management practices of geologically different substratas and covering a people such as George Quaid, who was not range of structural types. They are evidenced by interested in running these pastoral a wide range of botanical diversity in the separate holdings—and it must be remembered that they occurrences and, in geographical terms, can be were pastoral holdings—then they are on the described as having affinities to the Wet Tropics wrong tram. People in those rural areas are not province to the south, and a province located to fooled. the north of Princess Charlotte Bay. They are The land that the Government is proposing considered to be of potentially high scientific to acquire by this Bill contains areas of significant interest. conservation importance. The environmental The northern section of the Starcke values of the Starcke aggregation, although aggregation, together with the Cape Melville high, are maximised when it is considered National Park, is the focus of what appears in together with the adjoining national parks, the relation to the rainforest species to be a unique two sections of the Cape Melville National Park botanical province. A clue to the unique nature and the Starcke River National Park. of the province has long been the presence of I will outline some of the more significant the endemic palm genus Neodyetia. A new features of the area. However, before I do so, I species of eucalypt known from only one Legislative Assembly 7143 22 February 1994 specimen and discovered in 1972 has recently can be assured. The member for Warrego said been rediscovered after a number of intervening that the Aborigines should buy it back. Maybe fruitless attempts. It is now known from a total of we should sell it back to them for the same price only three specimens, all of which are located at that the previous National Party Government the northern end of the Starcke aggregation. sold it to George Quaid—$30,000, or 30 pieces An isolated occurrence of the Swamp of silver. How is the member's conscience? He Banksia Robur has been located on a high stands in this place and questions how the land sandstone plateau on Starcke Pastoral Holdings will be managed in the future. He should ask the at an elevation of 500 feet. It is not only unusual people in the neighbouring areas how Quaid to find the species at this altitude but also the managed it in the past. Few people on Cape species is generally not found north of York Peninsula could not manage it better than Rockhampton at other than this site, and a George Quaid in terms of its value as a cattle smaller occurrence near Hope Vale. So this area property. extends the range of that species by almost An important part of this process has been 1 500 kilometres. Other palm and eucalypt the negotiations with the Commonwealth over species with limited range and occurrence are the possible joint funding of the acquisition. This found within the area. Government remains optimistic about Further significant features include the successfully concluding the positive Battle Camp sandstone formation, which is negotiations that have occurred to date with the almost totally unrepresented within the national Commonwealth, and it is my fervent hope that parks system, and deciduous vine thickets, both the State Government can bring together a of the Laura Basin, are present in significant mutually agreeable outcome for all parties, representations within the Starcke aggregation. particularly the traditional owners, and put in The Parabolic Sand Dunes near the mouth of place an appropriate funding mechanism. This the Jeannie River are an important opportunity to Bill provides for the payment of reasonable provide some representation of this ecosystem compensation for the acquisition of land in in the southern range of its occurrence. accordance with the provisions of the Land Act and the Acquisition of Land Act. I could go on further about the environmental significance of the aggregation The only other point that Opposition and its adjoining national parks. However, I think I members have managed to raise in the context have served to demonstrate that Starcke has of this debate is why we need to have this Bill significant environmental value, not just on a when we have the Acquisition of Land Act. On State but on a national basis that is worthy of the the one hand, they accuse the Government of Government's intervention to preserve. I think placing in jeopardy their land-holdings, my land- that I have also demonstrated that the member holdings, and the land-holdings of everyone for Burnett talks through his hat. else in Queensland. Why do they think we The other significant issue is the matter of introduced a Bill such as this one? We have introduced it because these are unique the interests of the traditional owners of the area, circumstances that apply only to Starcke Pastoral which have been well established, and which are Holdings, and these are circumstances that the equally worthy of the consideration of this Government does not want to be used as a Parliament. precedent by any other land-holder. So it is not Mr Hobbs interjected. the member's land that is under threat; it is not Mr BREDHAUER: Aboriginal interest in my land that is under threat; it is a specific the land is strong, particularly from a significant acquisition of a specific area of land—the Starcke group of people who are currently living in the Pastoral Holdings. Hope Vale community. I noticed that Cathy Job Although there has been some co- did the honourable member over on the 7.30 operation between the owner and the Report tonight. The Jacko family, represented Government in negotiations to this point, by, among others, Goombra Jacko, and the Hart agreement has not been reached with Mr Quaid family, represented by, among others, Roger on the quantum of compensation. Essentially, Hart, both from Hope Vale, have been anxiously he believes that the property is worth $26m, and trying to re-establish their traditional rights and we think that it is worth a lot less. We cannot associations with their land for a long time. agree. We have introduced the Bill because of Negotiations with the traditional owners and the the special circumstances. We have not been Cape York Land Council have been aimed at able to negotiate a settlement and we have allowing the traditional owners to reassert their agreed to proceed with the Bill being passed ownership while at the same time provide through the House so that the matter can come mechanisms by which the environmental values before the Land Court and be resolved. 22 February 1994 7144 Legislative Assembly

In conclusion, this legislation will ensure that were fully capable of being challenged at various both the rights of the traditional owners and the stages. The process could have gone on for environmental integrity of this important coastal quite a long time. This special Bill gave us land in Cape York Peninsula is protected from certainty of timing for the acquisition of those both overseas sale and inappropriate properties. development. It is yet another example of the The Opposition spokespeople questioned ongoing track record of care and concern for the the need of passing the Bill before the actions of environment which four years of the Goss Labor the Land Court. I am quite surprised about that. Government have embodied. It stands in stark Under any circumstances, the acquisition will contrast to the environmental and land occur prior to quantum being settled in the Land management practices of the previous National Court. Whether we acquired the holdings under Party Government, and I for one am happy with either the Acquisition of Land Act or through the that comparison and proud to support this Bill passage of the Bill, if the purchase cannot be before the House. resolved by negotiations, it would be resolved in Hon. G. N. SMITH (Townsville— Minister the Land Court. The member for Burnett made for Lands) (11.50 p.m.), in reply: I thank all some mention of the position of the land-holder, speakers for their contributions tonight. I can Mr Quaid. Mr Quaid is more than satisfied that the understand quite readily the passion with which quantum will be settled in the Land Court. members on this side of the House addressed Mr Slack: Could you explain that further, the matter, in particular the member for Cook. Minister? The Starcke pastoral holding is in his electorate and he knows the area very well. He has Mr SMITH: I will explain it in my own good demonstrated his knowledge of the area and its time and when I am ready. At this time, I wish to environmental value. clarify a couple of issues, one of which was touched upon by the member for Cook. There is The Bill is fairly simple. I will try to cover a few a discrepancy between the quantity of land aspects which were raised during the debate. I spoken about in the second-reading speech can understand why members opposite would and the actual amount to be acquired. The be fairly reluctant to engage in extensive criticism original figure was 224 647 hectares. It is now of the Government in respect of land matters. If 200 047 hectares. That was brought about by any legacy remains of the former National Party the surrender of 24 464 hectares of freehold Government— that is, in respect of Government from the pastoral holding. That surrender had wrongdoings—it is its land dealings. not been registered at the time of the I instance one matter that occurred in about second-reading speech, as the department 1983. Vast tracts of Queensland were made needed to undertake a number of adjustments available for freeholding at 40 per cent of the to the lease. A new compiled plan was required valuation of some four years previous. So it was a to enable that to occur. There is not a lot of multimillion-dollar handout to friends of the difference, but for the purpose of being correct, I National Party. Members of the National Party will put that on the record. ought to be very careful in their criticism of this A very considerable study was carried out Government. This Government has acted in into the formal value of the environmental response to a unique situation. A unique piece features of this property. There is absolutely no of country was being offered to an overseas doubt that ecosystems are contained in the area buyer. Members opposite can argue that it may that do not exist in any other parts of Australia. I or may not have been sold. However, there was would be the first to admit that, of the 200 000 a threat that that area could have passed to hectares, it is not all pristine property. Nobody overseas concerns. would ever suggest that it was. But it is Starcke is probably one of the best kept necessary to acquire all or most of that property secrets of north Queensland. As members to capture the areas of significant interest. indicated, this is probably because of its The Bill does provide for payment of remoteness. This Government's actions to put in reasonable compensation for the acquisition, in place a special piece of legislation resulted from accordance with the provisions of the Land Act. I the need to create some certainty. It was quite have been through that. This Bill will ensure that clear that we would be looking for Federal the very important coastal land is protected from assistance to acquire that property. As I said, we both overseas sale and, for that matter, needed to have a degree of certainty. We inappropriate development. I have said that needed to go further than simply relying on before. traditional means of acquisition, such as the Acquisition of Land Act, and the second Act that The only other matter to which I should would have been used as a vehicle. Those Acts direct some comment is in relation to the Legislative Assembly 7145 22 February 1994 funding. Harmonious and satisfactory funding south of Cape Melville that was taken out for negotiations have been going on for quite some national park purposes. time. We have reached substantial agreement Clause 3, as read, agreed to. with the Federal Government. Whether the money comes from Mrs Kelly's department or Clause 4— another department is of little consequence. Mr HOBBS (12.01 a.m.): This is the main The matter of consequence for the Queensland part of the Bill. It deals with the Starcke pastoral Government is the quantum of the Federal holdings becoming Crown land within the contribution. The member for Burnett was meaning of the Land Act. This can be referred to essentially correct. I have a very clear idea of as the acquisition provision of the Bill. I realise what I believe the figure will be. But I also believe that, during the debate on the second reading, that it would be improper for me to bandy those this topic was mentioned by some Government figures around, as they are still subject to members, but I ask again: why is this provision negotiation and will be determined in the Land necessary when the Acquisition of Land Act Court. Members will have to live with that reality. I exists? gave some figures when the matter was first The Minister claimed that this land was discussed. I have not moved very far from those unique, but he knows that it is not. It was claimed figures. that overseas buyers were interested, but they The member for Cook touched on the very were not. The land in question was not on the list satisfactory negotiations that have been taking of land to be acquired for national park purposes. place with the traditional occupiers of that land. The purchase of this land was a very low priority, We understand that some 200 people—from if it was a priority at all. If the land was on the list, it two language groups—live in and have an was at the very bottom. No funds were put aside interest in the area. Honourable members will to purchase the land, and the Government does recall in other legislation of the Government, not even want all of it. Therefore, it is very difficult such as the Aborigines and Torres Strait to argue that this is a very special and unique Islanders (Land Holding) Act, there is provision case. It is not. The Government does not want all for Aboriginal and Islander custodianship of the land. It did not have an allocation put aside to national parks. The final agreements are yet to purchase it. It was not on the environmental be determined. But, as with the financial register. contributions, the arrangements are well on Mr SMITH: For a start, I did not say that we track. did not want all the land. I made the point that, to We will put this Bill in place. It will not take capture all the land that is of environmental effect until such time as it is proclaimed. As significance, it is necessary to acquire the bulk of honourable members would know, there is the holding. The member asked why we do not about a four or five-week break between now apply the Acquisition of Land Act. I believe I and the next sitting of Parliament. It is very likely addressed that point earlier, when I said that that that these matters will be resolved in that time. was because of the circumstances surrounding Motion agreed to. this holding. It contained freehold land, pastoral leases and occupational licences, some of which had the capacity to be challenged legally. I Committee mentioned to the member that we needed Hon. G. N. Smith (Townsville—Minister for certainty. As well, we are dealing with the Lands) in charge of the Bill. Commonwealth Government. Essentially, those are the reasons that we moved down that track. Clauses 1 and 2, as read, agreed to. Another issue was raised earlier which I Clause 3— should clarify. The Land Court cannot determine Mr HOBBS (12 midnight): Earlier, the the quantum of compensation for resumption Minister stated that 24 000 hectares of this until the actual resumption has occurred. I hope holding was surrendered. That is a similar that clarifies that point. amount to the freehold land in question. Was the Mr HOBBS: I have one more important freehold land surrendered back to the Crown to point. It relates to the present owner, but it may be converted into a pastoral lease? Is that the relate to other owners of other pieces of land. I land referred to in subclause (c), which refers to ask: is this a character assassination of Mr Quaid Lots 3, 4 and 13, or is that the land referred to in because of other activities? subclause (d), which refers to Lot 123? Mr SMITH: It has never been a character Mr SMITH: It is certainly not the freehold assassination on my part or on the part of any land. It is other land that became available Government spokesman. Regardless of my because of the adjustment of the land north and personal feelings or those of other members of 22 February 1994 7146 Legislative Assembly the Government, the fact is that we have dealt "That the House do now adjourn." with this matter on the basis of law. We followed Rainfall in Hinchinbrook Electorate the proper procedures and had an eminent Queen's Counsel examine the past dealings. Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook) (12.08 a.m.): Although it was highly unsatisfactory that some Over the last weekend in January, the of those dealings appeared to have been carried Hinchinbrook electorate was deluged by some out on the basis of a handshake with later of the heaviest rainfall experienced since ratification, there was nothing that would prevent Cyclone Winifred in 1986. Since that time, at the Government from dealing with Mr Quaid in least another metre of rain has fallen over the the normal way. I do not believe that there is any Innisfail, Tully and Ingham districts. To date, the evidence of character assassination by any progressive rainfall total for the year is 1.5 member of the Government. metres. Clause 4, as read, agreed to. The electorate of Hinchinbrook is the centre for some of Queensland's most important Clause 5— primary industries—sugar and bananas—which Mr HOBBS (12.05 a.m.): This clause deals inject millions of dollars into the Queensland with the compensation paid to the landowner. At economy. Virtually all areas in the electorate this stage, the matter has not been before the were affected by the heavy rainfall. The Bruce Land Court. This Bill is being passed by this Highway was cut in a number of places, and Parliament in what I believe is an attempt to schools were closed. The earlier flooding was threaten the landowner before the matter goes extensive, with many houses suffering water to the Land Court. I ask: why is the cart being put damage, and some occupants of caravan parks before the horse in this instance? were evacuated. Government members have been very When the Leader of the Opposition, Rob vocal and seem to believe that the value of the Borbidge, visited the Hinchinbrook electorate in land for freeholding purposes was determined in early February, I was able to lead him on a 1989, when in fact that occurred from 1975 to first-hand inspection of the flood damage. His 1977. I ask: which date will the department be visit prompted an inspection by Government using in the forthcoming case to be heard by the Ministers, which occurred the next day. Land Court? However, I was neither notified nor invited to attend. Nevertheless, it was pleasing to hear Mr SMITH: The last point is the most that, on an inspection of the Halifax State significant. The date that is actually used is the School, the Education Minister gave his date of proclamation of the acquisition, that is, personal assurance that he would contact the the date of resumption. I thought that earlier I Administrative Services Department regarding answered adequately the question of quantum. I the approval of joint funding for the school's made the point that the quantum could not be tuckshop. Let us hope that that promise comes determined until such time as the resumption to fruition. took place. Whether that resumption occurs The widespread heavy rain and subsequent through the provisions of the Bill or through the flooding in some areas at that point had not provisions of the Land Act makes little lowered the prediction of a 4 million tonne crop difference; that event has to occur before the in the Herbert River district for 1994. The sugar matter goes to the Land Court. crop, of course, is very important in that area. Clause 5, as read, agreed to. However, in the Johnstone Shire, where there are some banana fields in low-lying locations, Clause 6, as read, agreed to. properties were ravaged by flood waters causing Bill reported, without amendment. considerable damage and loss of income to individual growers. A canefarmer in the Liverpool Creek area near Innisfail said he recorded 80 Third Reading millimetres in less than 90 minutes when the rain Bill, on motion of Mr Smith, by leave, read a was at its peak of intensity. Understandably, third time. these areas have required a substantial clean-up effort by the growers and, in addition, some have suffered the loss of their irrigation systems. ADJOURNMENT Although the loss of crops in the electorate Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH as a whole was not severe, I have seen some (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) individual erosion problems which are quite (12.07 a.m.): I move— alarming and beyond the capacity of the farmer to address. One particular wash-out left a crater Legislative Assembly 7147 22 February 1994 that would be approximately 40 metres wide by Monto area to break the law when it comes to 20 metres in length and 3 metres in depth. The handling $200,000 in ambulance funds. They crater extended from a gully into a cane field with have been calling for everyone in the an advanced crop of cane. Government—from the Premier, the Minister Erosion has resulted in other problems. responsible, and the people on the Monto Notably, the intense rainfall and the effect of the ambulance committee—to ignore the law and flash flood on some fallow land left fields thumb their noses at the Auditor-General. denuded of top soil. Substantial damage to This is an issue about which Opposition roads, rail tracks and causeways has occurred in members—in particular, the member for Callide, a number of localities. The flood-prone area from Mrs McCauley—have been very vocal. I am sure the Murray River to the Tully town itself and that Mrs McCauley will be interested in the Cattle Creek next to Ingham continues to be a documents I have here that show some of the problem for the railways. Ballast was washed from people she has been championing have simply under the rail line and rock protection ended up not been telling her or the people of Monto the in cane fields. To avoid that in the future, the truth. On the Monto issue, the facts are clear. railway system associated with the flood plains There has been no theft or confiscation of local needs to be redesigned. Generally, the Bruce funds. The Government has acted to meet the Highway incurred a limited amount of damage. requirements of the Queensland Ambulance However, the secondary road system Service Act and the Auditor-General. The Monto throughout the electorate did not fare so well. ambulance committee's own audit report Road and rail gangs worked on wash-outs to get supports the actions of the Government and the the system to a point at which it was safe. Queensland Ambulance Service. Monto's new I would like to take this opportunity to ambulance centre is on the 1994-95 Capital acknowledge the work done by the maintenance Works Program, but will be started sooner if crews working on power outages, roadworks and possible. It is significant that Monto has been the the restoration of other public assets, often only centre out of the 96 old QATB committees under difficult and dangerous conditions. Their that point-blank refused to behave in efforts have certainly reduced the deleterious accordance with the Act—to obey the law. It is impact of the extreme seasonal conditions that clear that some members of the Monto occurred in that part of the State. committee—certainly not all of them—have been more interested in playing politics, with the help It is difficult to quote an exact figure for the of Mrs McCauley, than in obeying the law or damage to the public assets in the electorate. telling the truth. Estimates for the earlier flood are about $1.7m. The Hinchinbrook Shire has indicated that the Let me provide some brief background damage bill to its public assets in that area is information. Mrs McCauley has quite wrongly somewhere in the vicinity of $1.2m. Damage to claimed that these funds were community the Cardwell Shire is estimated at about savings raised through charity events and raffles. $200,000 and damage to the Johnstone Shire is In the words of the Auditor-General, general estimated at $323,000. No doubt, this damage funds largely comprised subscribers revenue will escalate once again as a result of the heavy and Government grants for operational funding. rainfall over the last four days. Ultimately, the In 1991, income at the Monto ambulance centre Hinchinbrook and Johnstone Shires will have to largely comprised $54,696 revenue from contribute $56,000 and the Cardwell Shire a subscribers and $48,000 from Government lesser amount to enable restoration. grants. So, over $100,000 came from the Government or subscribers. Similar amounts Time expired. came from Government and subscribers in previous years. If members look at the accounts Monto Ambulance Committee Funds of the general fund for that year, they will see that only $156 came from benefits or donations. Mr LIVINGSTONE (Ipswich West) (12.13 Even in the committee's trust fund there was a.m.): Mr Speaker, tonight I want to highlight the only little more than $6,400 from bequests and hypocrisy of the recent attempts by Opposition donations. That trust fund had a building fund of members to paint themselves as supporters of less than $8,000. So to suggest that the law and order. All last week, they were trying to $173,001 came from local fund-raising or was suggest that they supported the rule of law and put aside for a building is simply untruthful. That that the State Government did not. Yet their is the first fact that Mrs McCauley and some stand on one single issue explodes their hollow people in Monto have not been letting people claims. Despite their claim to stand for law and know. order, the Nationals and Liberals have been urging the State Government and people in the 22 February 1994 7148 Legislative Assembly

Let us look at some of the others. When the the ultimate in political and financial irresponsibility. Queensland Ambulance Service was being formed, the Monto committee shifted the money between its general and trust funds on several ALP, Redcliffe Branch occasions. This was a deliberate attempt to Mr J. N. GOSS (Aspley) (12.18 a.m.): circumvent provisions of the legislation requiring Recently, I received a letter which commenced, the transfer to the QAS of general funds held by "This is an open letter to all Redcliffe branch the 96 abolished QATB committees. Mrs members." I was rather relieved when it started McCauley and some Monto people have been off "Dear Comrade", because members of the claiming that the funds in question were in a trust Liberal Party are not addressed that way, and my fund, not a general fund. However, both the National Party colleagues assure me that they chairman and secretary of the committee are not addressed in that way. The letter states— certified to the auditor in 1991 that the money concerned was in fact held in the general "At approximately 2.45 p.m. on Friday account as at 1 July 1991. the 20th of November I was barred from Ray I table for the information of honourable Hollis's office, to my knowledge no other members a copy of the audit report of the Monto branch Secretary in the state of committee for 1990-91, signed by S.J. Black as Queensland has this honour. I was accused chairman and D.J. Gill as secretary. Mrs McCauley of disloyalty to the party over my press should read this report because it clearly shows statement to the papers . . . I said I didn't that the amount in question of $173,001 was believe I was disloyal to the party and I knew held in the general fund at the time it should that I was the only Secretary on the point have been transferred to the QAS. If it was not, with the guts to tell it like it was, and none of Black was deliberately lying in his certificate to the others were game to go to the papers. I the Auditor-General. I am informed that Crown was told by Ray Hollis that he would see me Law advice indicates that this certification of the in his office as a Constituent, but not as a branch Secretary and that I couldn't go Monto committee's 1990-91 accounts endorses round writing and saying the things I have, the stand of the Government and the QAS. Mrs and I've upset good people." McCauley and others in the Opposition should explain why they have been championing On this topic, a newspaper article states— people who have so clearly been lying and "As of Monday the 9th of November all acting outside the law. activities of the Redcliffe Municipal Nobody can truthfully claim that the State Executive Committee of the ALP have Government has acted in a hasty or heavy- been suspended indefinitely by the State handed way. Officers from Queensland Administrative Committee of that party. Emergency Services have made every effort over a long period to resolve this issue amicably. Redcliffe ALP Branch Secretary, Mr Negotiations have been taking place with the Waldo Hayes described this suspension as, Monto committee since July 1991. That is a 'An outcome well deserved and period of more than two and a half years. The not unexpected based on the divisive Auditor-General's report tabled late last year and destructive nature of their activities specifically identified the Monto committee's in Redcliffe since the last local failure to comply with its legal obligation to Government election.' " transfer funds. The Auditor-General identified that the funds continued to be held illegally. The secretary was stating that it seemed that every little group that wants photocopying done As the Minister and the Premier have said, can get it done at Ray's office, except members there is no change to the commitment given to of the Redcliffe branch. the Monto committee that a new ambulance centre would be included in the 1994-95 Capital The letter stated further that also favoured Works Program of the Queensland Ambulance are members of the mushroom branches, and he Service. On this issue, the Government has had explains the mushroom branches as the no alternative but to ensure the provisions of the breakaway branches of the Labor Party in law are complied with and the requirements of Redcliffe that have been disenchanted with the the Auditor-General are met. The National and main Redcliffe branch. The letter stated that Liberal Parties have taken the complete members can ring all over Australia at will and can opposite approach. They have been actively use the office phone for business. The secretary supporting the flouting of the law and ignoring of an ALP branch was writing to members saying the requirements of the Auditor-General. That is that the member for Redcliffe, and chairman of the PAC, allows his office phone to be used for business purposes by friends in the ALP. I find Legislative Assembly 7149 22 February 1994 that rather disgusting. The secretary went on to start for this year's crop on the other—along with say— the follow-up rains we received from Cyclone ". . . I have never in my life ever snitched on Rewa earlier this year, which produced a little anyone so I'll keep their names to myself." over 50 millimetres of steady, soaking rain over a large area of our region, providing great benefit He stated further— to graziers and farmers, particularly canefarmers. "Well folks, as you know Gary Johns We have received further rain to that, giving the wouldn't pay for the postage of our last region around 200 millimetres on average since minutes. I was miffed by this action as Ray Christmas. This rain, along with the $30 to $35 Hollis has without any hesitation paid month per tonne increase on 1992 prices, with more after month for the postage of our minutes. promising outcomes from the GATT discussions, Ray gets a lot less money for mailing I might has it looking good for sugar in 1994. add. I wrote a private letter to Gary Johns." Cattle prices are the best for a long time, There is an insert in the minutes— and graziers with grass are reaping the benefits. "Dear Waldo, Hopefully, the long cycle of dry weather is at an end and the pendulum is swinging back to I referred you to the party, a move I now normal seasons. The timber industry enjoyed a regret. Do me and the party a year of good trading last year, with most mills favour—resign!" investing in extensions and improvements to The letter is signed "Gary Johns". All does not their plants. With plenty of orders in hand, their appear to be very well in Redcliffe. I believe that it outlook for 1994 is also very promising. is a gross misuse of taxpayers' funds if, as the The chip mill operated by Hyne & Son and ALP secretary claims, Mr Hollis is allowing their partner at Owanyilla will come on stream in business people in the ALP to freely use his late 1994 and will inject $10m into our economy telephone. per annum—and many jobs—over a 10-year That letter has been circulated well within period. EDI (Walkers) has won major export the membership in Redcliffe, saying that they orders in South East Asia for sugar industry can ring all over Australia at taxpayers' expense. equipment and trains for Kuala Lumpur, as well It is a scandalous allegation against the MLA who as substantial orders for rolling stock and trains oversees parliamentary accountability in for Queensland Rail. Walkers is in great shape Queensland. This member of the ALP has with $145m of orders in hand. This will augur well alleged gross impropriety, and Mr Hollis must for many Maryborough-based smaller now fully account for his phone expenditure or engineering companies that subcontract to resign as the chairman of the PAC. Walkers. The Labor Government was elected on a The tourist industry is developing rapidly, platform of accountability, and Mr Hollis is the creating many jobs, with most resorts booked Labor-nominated chairman of a committee with out over the Christmas period. As honourable an important duty, namely, to safeguard the members of this House would be aware, standards of probity among members. This slur Queensland now has one of the lowest cannot be allowed to stand. Already questions unemployment figures in the nation, in spite of have been raised about Mr Hollis's behaviour. the 1 000 interstate migrants pouring into our Time expired. State each week—escapees from John Fahey and Jeff Kennett's conservative Governments. Maryborough Electorate However, unemployment levels are still Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (12.23 a.m.): I unacceptably high. With the combined efforts of take this opportunity to give honourable Government, business and industry targeting members an overview of the Maryborough unemployment in 1994, hopefully this will bring region's progress throughout 1993, with my about better employment prospects so that all forecast of its prospects for 1994. 1993 saw can enjoy a dignified and happy 1994. rural, manufacturing, engineering, tourism and In all, 1993 was a good year for building industries in the Maryborough and Wide Maryborough and region, and 1994 is shaping Bay region enjoy a solid and profitable year, with up to be even better. Job creation has been building figures reaching all-time records in Tiaro encouraging, with employment increases from and Woocoo Shires, along with Maryborough 79 500 in December 1992 to 82 700 in City Council, which increased its figures by 50 December 1993. This represents an extra 3 200 per cent on last year's record figures. jobs—an increase of 4 percent and slightly The sugar industry suffered some above the 3.7 per cent average growth for the dislocation in the latter end of last year's harvest State as a whole. That is a far cry from the doom due to rain—a nuisance on one hand, but a great and gloom that the Nationals and Liberals 22 February 1994 7150 Legislative Assembly predicted for our region at the cessation of Family Services Department; Children's logging on Fraser Island and during the run-up to Court the State election. They have proved to the Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) citizens of my electorate that they cannot be (12.28 a.m.): Tonight, I want to talk about the believed, as Maryborough and region is now failure of the Family Services Department to carry making positive strides in economic growth and out its obligations when given court orders from employment after a decade of being in the the Children's Court. Members of the House economic doldrums under the Nationals. would be very much aware that, at present, there Much of this rapid economic growth can be are reports coming in from all over Queensland attributed to the $32m State Government about juveniles breaking the law. I suppose one compensation and development package that could say that there is a plague of juveniles who was put in place to ensure that the community are in contempt of the laws of the country, and and timber workers were not economically we are calling for something to bring them back disadvantaged. I am pleased to relate that it did into gear. just that and more. There have been Much has been made by Government spectacularly successful outcomes for many of members of the Juvenile Justice Act. I the timber workers. One that struck me as being supported that piece of legislation when it went a great achievement was the efforts of Mr Steve through the House. It provides more options for Dumbleton, a chap who started work at Hyne and the Children's Court than was the case with the Son sawmill as a boiler attendant when he former Act. It ranges from, in the very worst case, finished primary school at the age of 14. taking a person into custody if he or she has With the cessation of logging on Fraser committed a very serious crime to cautions and Island, Steve volunteered to take his being sentenced to community service orders. It compensation package and go back to school. also contains provision to issue a court order After two years of hard study, Steve received an directing the Director-General of the Department Overall Position of 5 from the Queensland of Family Services to take an offending child into Tertiary Admission Centre. This places him in care and protection. That is the particular issue approximately the top 10 per cent of the State. that I want to speak about tonight. I think that in This week, Steve commenced study at the QUT, most cases this turns out to be a farce. If where he is undertaking a Bachelor of honourable members remember what was in the International Business. He tells me that he Sunday Mail last week, they would know that a intends to major in Indonesia. This is a fair bit of pressure was put on the Minister for remarkable achievement for a person who had Police, who represents the seat of previously had a poor record at school. All who Rockhampton. The Sunday Mail carried an article were involved with Steve commented that he about a number of senior citizens who had was focused, dedicated and determined to make complaints about juveniles committing crimes this break in his life a turning point for him. With against their property. The article carried the this opportunity, Steve will probably never see theme that in many cases the actions taken by the inside of a boiler again. the courts were not appropriate. Mr Trevor Reeves also took the I will talk about a situation that arose in compensation package and did 12 months' Chinchilla sometime last year. I first became training in the hospitality industry and became a aware of the failure of the Department of Family chef. Mr Reeves now operates a restaurant at Services to give care and protection as ordered Hervey Bay. Many other timber workers who took by the Children's Court when the local sergeant the option of a change of direction are now rang me up and told me of an incident that was holding senior positions in their new worrying him. A young man had been in trouble occupations. with the Children's Court and had been put into Mr Russ O'Brien, former manager of Hyne custody at Westbrook youth centre, outside and Son's Maryborough hardwood mill had a Toowoomba. He had been in there for quite a dream to own and operate an air charter while and that institution believed that he was business. He also took the package. He now has capable of being rehabilitated. He came from a his wings and an aeroplane and is operating out broken home, and the department tried to find a of Maryborough as Heritage City Air Charter. I place for him to go. His grandmother in Chinchilla recommend Russ to anyone who needs his type agreed to take him in and to act on behalf of the of service. Department of Family Services; although it still had the responsibility of care and protection. He Time expired. had not been there very long before he got a job. He made some money and he made some new friends. This young chap moved out of Legislative Assembly 7151 22 February 1994 home and out of the influence of his development now taking place, reflecting the grandparent. That is when things started to go lack of building space in Palm Beach. wrong. The majority of Gold Coasters are not The police sergeant rang me and said, "Mr opposed to sensible development. With Littleproud, we have a young bloke in Chinchilla sensible development must come sensible who is under the care and protection of the planning. Multi-storey unit and townhouse Department of Family Services. He is in great developments along the foreshore of Palm danger of getting himself into really serious Beach and in the vicinity of Currumbin Creek trouble and the Department of Family Services is concentrate the suburb's increasing population not playing the game. It has not been anywhere into relatively small areas. near him." I rang the Toowoomba office and Of course, there is nothing wrong with made inquiries. I was told, "Yes, we are so short optimising main usage when it comes to catering of staff that it is very unlikely that we will ever get for an increasing population. However, what out to see that young man." I thought, "Well, needs to be considered is the increased thank you very much. You are in contempt of pressure placed on important local infrastructure your court order." I can report that since then this such as roads. When development accelerates young bloke has turned 18 and the prediction of in a residential suburb such as Elanora, more the policeman was correct. In fact, he has been roads and all the things that go with single, in very serious trouble and because he is an stand-alone dwellings are required. As a result, adult he is in one of Her Majesty's gaols in the expanding population causes the suburb Queensland—one of the Corrective Services and its infrastructure to physically expand. In an institutions in Queensland. area such as Palm Beach, which is largely That story bears out the point that the developed to its capacity, more intense Department of Family Services is so poorly development such as units and townhouses staffed that it is not taking seriously the court becomes common. Development is orders that are given out in good faith by the subsequently more concentrated, with buildings Children's Court. The department virtually growing higher and larger, rather than in number ignores a court order that applies to it. That and incidence. makes a mockery of the Children's Court. Ninety per cent of residential dwellings The piece of legislation is good. There is a approved and under construction in Palm Beach need for the Department of Family Services to in the 1992-93 period were not houses. This carry out its obligations under a court order. It is illustrates clearly the type of intense not happening only in Chinchilla. It happens all development in Palm Beach. In 1992-93, 20 over Queensland. Honourable members need houses were either approved or under only look at the past weekend's newspaper in construction in Palm Beach as opposed to 187 Rockhampton. The Department of Family other residential unit dwellings approved or Services is letting down the system. under construction. That means that more than Queensland has good justice. It has a good nine times the number of residential units, court system. It has a good piece of legislation. including townhouses, are being built in Palm But it has a Minister who is letting things down. Beach than the number of standard houses. As a result there are additional pressures placed on the Palm Beach area. An expanding population Palm Beach Population Density in a whole residential suburb has markedly Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (12.33 a.m.): I different implications on infrastructure than does would like to bring to the attention of the House rapid population growth stacked in units and development in the suburb of Palm Beach, townhouses on just a few small blocks near the which is located at the northern end of the beach. Currumbin electorate. Unlike neighbouring areas The unresolved test case for the sorts of like Elanora, Palm Beach is almost saturated with problems emerging in Palm Beach involves a established housing. In fact, I have been advised small street near the foreshore named Jefferson by local real estate agents that attempting to find Lane. Residents in Jefferson Lane already vacant land to build premises in Palm Beach can experience traffic and parking difficulties due to a be a difficult task indeed. Nevertheless, over the combination of residential traffic and commercial past few months there has been a considerable traffic utilising the lane to access buildings and amount of development in Palm Beach in the offices. Under the Gold Coast City Council town vicinity of the foreshore. Condensed and multi- plan, it is entirely likely that the type of intense storey development usually in the form of units residential development that I mentioned earlier and townhouses typifies the type of will take place on the strip between Jefferson Lane and the Gold Coast highway. The council 22 February 1994 7152 Legislative Assembly refuses to rule out the possibility of traffic from Contrary to earlier advice from the council, such buildings accessing Jefferson Lane. Just the Minister for Transport had no reservation in one multi-storey residential unit block could stating that his department has no objection to markedly increase traffic in the lane. This could traffic from future multi-storey developments in cause danger and traffic congestion in what is the area accessing the Gold Coast highway, ostensibly a small residential street. Clearly, more rather than Jefferson Lane. This is confirmed in a suitable planning is required in this instance. letter from the Minister to local resident Ernie Conway, dated 5 August 1993. The way has been paved by the Minister for the council to take a more suitable planning alternative, but to date the council has provided no guarantee to Jefferson Lane residents that they will be spared future traffic woes. I said earlier that the Jefferson Lane issue is a test case because I believe that until it is resolved there will be no sensible planning precedent which takes into account the increased road pressure caused by growth in Palm Beach and the needs of residents already living nearby. Local planning on the southern Gold Coast needs to be long sighted and sensitive to the comfort of the residents already established in the area. Last year, Queensland Transport was criticised by the Gold Coast City Council for having an overall long-term plan to widen the Gold Coast highway in Palm Beach. At that time, I reminded the council that such widening would not have to take place if development in the area is managed carefully and not allowed to spiral. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 12.38 a.m. (Wednesday).